Our legacy in the making!
I recently attended a celebration of life for my friend’s mom who passed away several months ago. What struck me most was observing the rich legacy she had left, first through her three children, then her seven grandchildren, and now a gaggle of great grandkids. Grandma Irene had been blessed with 91 years on this earth. Her pastor described her as a “peaceful servant.”
I couldn’t agree more. I had the privilege of meeting Irene several times. She made you feel right at home the moment you stepped in the door. She always had something cooking in her kitchen. Her two grandkids who spoke at the service attested to that. No matter the time of day or night, Irene had a baked treat or snack ready to feed her guests. I was no exception! It didn’t take long before I knew why her “Mississippi Mud” was an all-time favorite. I smiled when her grandson mentioned his grandma’s “magic laundry room.” Since he attended college nearby, he often brought piles of dirty clothes and he said they “magically” came out of some sort of laundry room vortex all clean and folded.
It wasn’t only acts of kindness that came so naturally to Irene that made a difference in her family’s lives. Her example of being a Christ-follower has obviously been passed on to her family. My friend (who I’ve been blessed to know for 40+ years) exudes the same grace and peace which so perfectly defined her mother.
What is your legacy?
All this got me thinking about the legacy we can leave for our family and friends. Sometimes in the day-to-day routines of being a wife and mom (especially when our family is young), it’s hard to imagine we may be impacting generations to come! I’ve folded a ton of laundry through the years. I never thought this could be something my family might reminisce about someday.
It motivates me to be intentional about the way I live each day. I can choose to make a difference in the lives of our adult sons, my daughter-in-law, and our two precious grandchildren, as well as other family members, friends,and neighbors.
Our grandchildren who are 7 and almost 4 years old came to visit last week–the first time they’ve spent the night with us all by themselves. We had a wonderful time making memories. We walked on the beach and collected sea glass, enjoyed ice cream sundaes at our town’s old-fashioned soda fountain, played games, toasted marshmallows for S’mores, and visited the local toy store, When we stopped at a farm stand store, my granddaughter proudly announced to the clerk, “I’m here to visit my grandparents!” How grand is that?
I’ve also observed the legacy left by my father and my parents-in-law. Their examples shine on through their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My mother’s legacy is still being written in her 92nd year. Her life has already touched her family and friends in numerous ways.
I think of words used to describe Reverend Billy Graham at his funeral. His son said his dad was “F.A.T.” He went on to explain. “Dad was Faithful, Available and Teachable.”
What a perfect description of what it takes to leave a great legacy— being faithful to the ones God has placed in our lives, available to them, and teachable, always in a position where we’re willing to learn.
Grandma Irene did all three almost to perfection.
Souls never pass away–souls only pass through. We never pass away from living, but we pass through this life to living forever.
And this life, as we pass through, is about passing everything on, passing grace around, passing the peace, the courage, the vulnerability, the intimacy, passing everything on.
-Ann Voskamp
