Living Legacy
We recently returned from Cami’s grandma’s funeral and with that trip has come a lot of deep thoughts about life.
Throw Father’s Day into that and it all adds up to moments of deep reflection about the type of life I want to live. I heard a saying years ago that asked “do you live to work or do you work to live?” I believe I work to live, yet there are stretches in my schedule where some may think I simply live to work. So I want each of us to take some time to think about our living legacy…what does our current life say about who we are and how we live(d) our life.
For Father’s Day each of the kids wrote me a short letter thanking me for being their father. In each note were a handful a statements about what they liked about me, what they want from me, and what they enjoy doing with me. Some were obvious like Cooper saying he appreciates me making lots of money and he would hope that I would give it all to him. Others were based on recent activities like Beaudry saying he enjoys going mountain biking with me. Yet a few really spoke to what I hope is my living legacy with my kids. They spoke of the time we spend together, the ideas I share with them, and the coaching I do on the side. More than being a hard worker, I want my kids to know I valued our time together and that I valued them.
Lately we’ve been consumed with house projects…I think each kid now has a new bed, new bedroom feel, and a few new places to store things. With all of this I tried to highlight that my bedroom hasn’t been updated since we were married and probably won’t be in any near future (by choice). I wanted my kids to see that I valued their experience more than my own. I’m not sure they care too much about that at this point, but it seems important for them to know that from me.
What else is important to you and how you live your life? When it comes to our legacy I don’t believe it is about having the right one, or if our’s is wrong…it is about fit. Does your life represent who you are and how you want to live? Does your focus represent what you value and what brings you joy, satisfaction, and lasting security? I sure hope so.
