Legacy, What does it Mean

We will all leave a legacy as a result of our simply just being here on this earth.

I found many different uses for this word

1. legacy(Noun)
   money or property bequeathed to someone in a will
2. legacy(Noun)
   Something inherited from a predecessor; a heritage
   John Muir left as his legacy an enduring spirit of respect for the environment.
3. legacy(Noun)
   The descendant of an alumnus
   Because she was a legacy, her mother's sorority rushed her.
4. legacy(Adjective)
   of a computer system that has been in service for many years and that a business still relies upon, even though it is becoming expensive or difficult to maintain
5. legacy(Adjective)
   left behind; old or no longer in active use
   
   
   Each one refers to something passed on,  I feel unfortunately that there are many people in this world that focus on leaving material things  as their legacy.  Families that guard their money and possessions with the intent of passing it along. It can become an obsession. 
   
   
   One simple example I can think of is the China. Yes china, many of us have sets of precious china that belonged to our mothers, Grandmother or other significant family member.  In many instances these dishes are brought out rarely for use of special occasions that seem to be increasingly further apart.  I have such dishes-when I pass on who will want them?  I can guarantee my youngest son who have limited storage and leads a lifestyle that does not frequently include formal gatherings will have no use for these lovely pieces.  moving along to my oldest son, he leads a lifestyle  that is more modern and current and these  nearly 100 year old dishes are not a pert of his world either.
   
   
   Why am I talking about dishes?  they are merely a symbol for the possessions including money that we struggle with trying to determining to whom and where our possessions will go.
   
   
   I raised my children and they are independent, not exotically wealthy but rich in the things I thing are important. Love, compassion, true friends, honest and hard working,  
   
   
   I will perhaps have money left for them, perhaps not  I have certainly worked to be certain my material things will be cared for and if there is actually money it had been determined where it goes.
   
   
   The entire idea that I owe them a huge or any financial legacy seems contradictory to me.  In our world today we have changing traditions and lifestyles but life has not changed.  
   
   
   The legacy I hope is left is memories of unconditional love, support and a belief that we can make our world better.
   My professional legacy has been to help mentor and encourage others in the care of others. I feel strongly that I probably did this better than raising children.  I put myself into both and because we continue to learn and grow I hope that i continue to add to the lives of those I touch.
   
   
   My goal is to leave memories of someone who cared, loved her children with absolute abandon, and,  created memories over time, a person of Faith, and a recollection of someone who continues to grow and learn until her last breath.  Living life in the present
   
   
   This would be my legacy, live each and every day respecting the fact the we do not know how many more days we will have. Love and respect each other.  Take a chance on people and reach out to others, always learn, and be grateful for the present and what you have in this real time.
   
   
   More thoughts on this later

A New Year Begins

2017 did not start out well for me in some respects.

I fell one night and after a totally horrid experience in a hospital where I worked was finally diagnosed with a fractured pelvis,  Later a secondary fracture was noted that was initially missed. The bottom line to this was that I was confined to my house for the remainder of January, Feb and some of March.  I could not lay down so I slept in my recliner for months.  Thankfully I do not have clear memories of this time, pain was intense and because of an intolerance for the dreaded opioid  I had little to relieve the pain beyond aspirin.  My friend and caretaker Peg, has s few stories to tell but there is no need for me to remember.

During this time and still my Grandson was very ill and he is also recovering, I am older but I still feel so awful for him, because he missed so much,  He is doing well and prayers continue to ask for complete recovery.

Recovery was slow and I worked from home for several months and concluded my assignment with the hops ital system I worked for as an interim.

Then things did pick up.  I rested, gardened, did things with friends like a normal person.  I was able to visit with special friends and my grandsons came to visit.  My summer was one good thing after another.  In August I was fortunate enough to be invited to view the Total Eclipse from a point where it was experienced in totality. This was a experience not to be repeated and certainly reinforces to me that God has created a marvelous place for us to live.

That was not the end of my adventure-the same friends invited me to travel with them down the Tennessee River, TomBigBee waterway from MS to Mobile Alabama.  The journey was awesome an experience with nature that is hard to duplicate.  There is limited civilization on the waterway but we caravan-ed with others.  Eagles, herons, dolphins in the Bay were some of the species we did see, but just the sheer isolation was impressive.  At night the stars seemed withing reach, the peace and tranquility and lack of technology was  peaceful.  I was happy to have the technology for the boats present, but conversation, games and just companionship grow without distractions

i made another side trip to Ohio to help a special couple celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.  It was bitter sweet, because as happy as I am for them it did remind me that Stan did not quite make it to our 25th.   It was a happy time though, because we celebrated them and remembered Stan as well this is as it should me.

On to the final part of the year.
I drove to Texas to be with my son and his family. 
Interesting fact, Fifty years ago on New Years i attended the Ice Bowl in Green Bay.  The Packers beat Dallas in that extremely memorable game.
This year I celebrated with the boys at the Dallas Cowboys stadium at the Cotton Bowl.  Where Ohio State defeated USC.  I guess i should go to more bowl games since, I seem to bring my team good luck!

Now 2018 begins.  What next?