Another conversation I had with Joann this weekend…how do I want to be remembered. That question is a bit vague. I guess it’s what you’d like people to say about you when you’re not around. What would they say or think about you when you’re gone? What will your legacy be?
The answer could be so many different things to anyone. Do I want to be remembered as a good father? Successful (this is something I’ll post about another time)? Someone that has overcome? Someone with integrity?
I could go in several different directions with this. It’s difficult to say, in one sentence, how I’d like to be remembered…or is it? This is something that I’ve thought about for many years. I’ve thought about my accomplishments, my battles, my dreams. How can I decide what my legacy will be? Thinking about it has made me ponder so many different things. In a way, it’s been self-reflection. It’s made me question myself. It’s made me laugh. It’s made me cry. Cry…something I do at least once a day. I admit it…but more conversations about that later.
Long, drawn-out, sometimes painful self-reflection and I have realized my preferred ‘legacy’.
I remembered a time, almost 20 years ago (damn that makes me sound old), when I had a boss that was constantly pushing me to do more, to strive for more. His name was Mike. He saw something in me that I did not see at the time. He constantly built me up and explained what I was capable of. He changed my train of thought on what I wanted to do and what I could become. It not only affected my work, but also my personal life. When I left that job, I was not in a high position nor had I received much as far as promotions. I did, however, accomplish a lot. I led training groups. I became chairperson of different committees. I became the spokesperson of the division I was a part of, which led to television interviews and demonstrations. All of which, I never looked to achieve before that influence.
When I moved on from that position, they threw me a going-away party. Mind you, I only worked at this organization for about 6 years. I was given awards and people spoke about me…Me! At the time, I didn’t feel it was warranted. During the presentations for me, that same boss, along with the city mayor, presented me with a plaque. Honestly, giving someone a plaque after 6 years of service? Why? The last comment they gave has stuck with me and always will. It has become the legacy I want to be forever remembered for…even if it’s only remembered by one person. That last comment was, ‘Thank you for making a difference”.
At the time, I didn’t realize how much that really meant. Over the years, I have grown. I’ve battled. I’ve failed. I’ve succeeded. I didn’t get through any of it without the help and influence of others. All of the lost battles…all of the battles won, have led me back to the one that one thought. Did I make a difference? I realize that I won’t end up a billionaire…though my goal of retiring very comfortably still hinge on me winning the Powerball at some point.
I honestly hope that, when I’m gone, people say that I made a difference. My kids, family, friends, coworkers and hopefully more…will they say that I made a difference? My efforts to work towards my legacy are what I strive for. It’s what motivates me to be successful…in life.
So I ask you…what will be your legacy?
Bar Talk 
I know for a fact, you have made a difference in many lives. It’s just who you are. For me, this conversation with myself has been though. Being of this age, suffering through the loss of so many loved ones, it made me think of my mortality. It brings up a feeling that I may run out of time before I can lay down a remembrance. I’d like to think, the legacy I’d leave is more a feeling people will have of themselves, like they felt seen, loved, heard.
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