The Legacy

A legacy can be described as something handed down, a gift or will.

Do you give much thought to your legacy? What are you going to leave behind when you graduate from your life?

I had an opportunity to ponder that this weekend.

As I attended my uncle's gathering yesterday, I was struck by the amount of people there. It was a full house and it was not only biological family who were there. People who had their lives touched by my Uncle Ken through the years came to pay their respects to the family. They mourned along with them. They shared fond memories and great stories.

Those who he worked with in substance abuse counseling came, many with great stories of recovery.  It was wonderful to see the results of a calling that can be so difficult- helping those who suffer from addiction break free from that lifestyle. Those he so gently helped to find the path of freedom from addiction are part of his legacy.

Of course his children were there. And many of them had their own children. As the adults spoke to each other, the children played. The house that held sorrow and loss was, at the same time, alive. Looking at each of the children and grandchildren, I couldn't help but think what an awesome legacy this man left the world. Each one of his children, each with unique talents, gifts and abilities, were a part of his legacy. Each of the grandbabies that had been born, and those yet to be born, will carry him with them as they bless the world with their uniqueness.

So, again, I ask. What legacy are you leaving? It doesn't have to be children. It can be fulfilling the role you are called to or even just a gesture of kindness and understanding to another human being. It needs to be something, because not leaving one will leave you as the only one at your memorial.

Out with the old...

I had been using LJ for years, but discovered that the non-paid account doesn't do much for me. My LJ was great for venting and raving about things, but if you didn't see it you may consider yourself lucky.

I haven't done away fully with my LJ, partly due to friends being on there, the other part is the opportunity to be candid where I can't always be here. There are certain responsibilities that a person holds as they grow in age to not air their dirty laundry all over the internet for everyone to see.

You'll notice the Raving Rabbid on the side of the blog. This is a representation of how I feel most days. :)

Another reason for this blog is having a 2nd child diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. Not full blown Autism, but PDD-NOS. We will be having further testing done here soon. Hopefully it will be sooner than 9 months from now, which was the wait time over at Phoenix Children's. On the heels of that, I lost yet another family member to cancer. What a cruel disease. Being schooled in public health, I have learned about various diseases and how they destroy the body, but cancer is by far one of the worst one's I have had the opportunity to witness.