January 2025
As this New Year began our country was mourning the loss of former President Jimmy Carter. There were so many references to his legacy – not just as a president but as a man. A caring humanitarian, a loving husband and father, a witness-bearing Christian were just a few of the terms applied to his legacy.
A new year often causes us to reflect and project and I thought about this in terms of legacy. As I watched his funeral service and saw all four surviving former presidents the totality of their legacies was impressive. There will always be those who see the negatives, but each, like President Carter, had their positives too.
What is a legacy?
One of the most comprehensive descriptions I found of legacy was at Legacy Law PLLC. Their overall statement was a legacy is something that is passed on. They went to elaborate.
A Legacy may be of one’s faith, ethics and core values. A Legacy may be monetary or your assets. A Legacy may come from one’s character, reputation and the life you lead – setting an example for others and to guide their futures. Legacies often tremendously impact, encourage and leave pathways for future generations. Legacies provide guidance and inspiration for family members and those impacted by you to live lives that impact their faith, homes, community and businesses.
I was interested in what people think their legacy will be. This is part of a post I put on Facebook:
“I am working on my next blog post and would like to enlist your help. The topic will be Legacy. I’m not talking financial here, I’m interested to know what you would want your own legacy to be. Leaving a legacy is more than what we leave behind—it’s about the impact we have on the lives of others and the world around us, a reflection of how we’ve lived, the values we’ve upheld, and the difference we’ve made. If you are not comfortable sharing publicly, please PM me. Thanks in advance for your input!”
I must say I was disappointed to receive only three responses. Thank you so much to these three- you know who you are. Here is what each said. Identifying information has been removed.
- “Not sure if this is appropriate for a legacy but my charity work is what I want my legacy to be. The fact that I work hard for the causes that interest me. Tom and I both instilled doing charity work in our daughter. I continue to do it and she has become one of the most charitable people I know.”
- “I just quickly wanted to tell you that I want my legacy to be love. My Mom and Dad had a little sign on their front door that said “In this house, you are loved” I have it beside my bed and I hope and pray that it’s been carried forward by me. We are able to love because God first loved us and I want that to shine bright all the days of my life.”
- “I want my legacy to be: I help. I love sharing my knowledge about different subjects to help solve problems. I want to be remembered as a person who wanted all children to know the love of Jesus. Also, I wanted the elderly to maintain their dignity their entire life. I will be remembered as a person with a loud voice and somewhat of a know-it-all. And, unfortunately I will be remembered as a mom who had a son who had an addiction issue and who lost him.”
Each of these are admirable legacies. And because I know these people, I can testify that each is true.
What about me?
As for myself, I believe my greatest legacy will be my family. My sons, daughter-in-loves, and grandchildren. I also hope to be remembered as . . .
A caring, loving mother, grandmother, wife, family member, and friend.
A faithful Christian
An advocate of justice
An accomplished writer
An effective, professional, and diplomatic educational leader
I don’t make resolutions but in the new year I want to work to make these hoped-for legacies lifetime realities. If you want to have legacies when you die, you must live them now.
We all leave a legacy whether intended or not. It might be by default and it might not be overwhelmingly positive, but it will happen. Perhaps as we begin a new year and a new era in our country it would be good to reflect on what your legacy will be. Have you ever thought about it? What do you hope to leave as your legacy? The Bible offers some guidance you may want to consider.
I hope and pray these words have inspired you to think about your legacy. Have you been inspired by the legacies of others? What do you hope to leave as a legacy?
Perhaps if the words here haven’t been enough of an inspiration listen to this. It‘s worth three minutes of your time.
Share your thoughts in a comment below.
Interesting blog. I have never given any thought to a legacy or what I would want mine to be. Food for thought.
You have a legacy. You set an example of a kind, thoughtful, man who keeps learning no matter your age. I’d say that’s a pretty good legacy. I believe a legacy can be found in the way a person lives their life as you have done well my friend.