Embracing Life
Life is filled with precious moments that call us to embracing life. It is easy to forget these times when undesirable things happen. 
Today I was able to spend some time with our littlest Granddaughter and her mom. It was a fun time just hanging out the doing necessary running around.
While in a local store, I ran into a man who once had a snack shop in town. He lives a few blocks away from us and periodically I’ll see him walking with his staff. He came forward and gave me a hug and immediately asked about my spouse. It was a brief encounter, but indeed refreshing. He was picking up a dessert for a Christmas Party. He reminds me of how important it is to stay involved and how a smile can be so important.
What Legacy do you want to leave behind?
I thought about the Legacy that I’d like to leave behind. It isn’t the first nor will it be the last time I think about that! What value was I leaving behind to hand down to the next generation? Was it loyalty, following through with promises, knowledge, experience, or something unknown to me? Was it a feeling of warmth? Was it being self -centered or not engaged enough?
And what do people want most to leave behind if they are entrepreneurs? Being known in the community or lending out a helping hand? Is it having given money to the poor? I saw a lady today who was ringing the Salvation Army bell. She was doing it for the whole day, not just an hour. I was impressed! I hope people remember her generous heart.
I recollect the image of a man from our church. I saw every weekend, when we’d go as a family, doing more than his share. He served as an usher and greeter. Always dressed in a suit and tie for Mass. He was always working the church’s activities from the “summer festival” to the Knights of Columbus Funeral’s. He’d include my husband in projects often, and ask for his help in carrying, lifting, and hauling supplies. It was his way of getting people involved and needed.
He had a beautiful white house on the main street in town that was always impeccable. I’d learned he had retired from a large successful business he had started and helped out at other activities in town, as well. He also had a large family scattered in the neighboring suburbs. He’d always wave a hand my way and extend a smile. I saw him age, learned he was caring for a sick wife for many years, and watched him from afar until he died. I missed him.
Since then, I think of him whenever I visit that church or pass his house. It was sold shortly after he died, but it reminds me of his stamp on the community. I don’t know what impact he had on other people, but he did set a high standard of excellence in his efforts to help other people for me. He was reliable, willing, and giving. In my mind those are high and important standards.
What do people want from one another? Do they want to be mentored? Is it answers to pressing issues, loyalty, time, clarity, direction, or to be heard? Is it someone who tells the truth, shows up at the voting booth, or all of the above?