A Living Legacy

After my mother died (now just two weeks ago), I have had many thoughts, memories and contemplations. I will share some here and more later as they develop. This is the biginning of some thoughts about Mother's and Daughters:A Living Legacy

I saw my Mother's Mother frequently prior to her death and even though I was only 16 and not present at her passing, it effected me strongly nonetheless. At least, for about two days and then my attention shifted back to clothes and looking good and how much I hated family gatherings. Such was youth.

Now, in the wake of my own Mother's death, I see how she continued on after her Mother on her own terms, on her own path and with determination and purpose. I always had thought she just carried on in place of her Mother, Goldie. But no one could have done that. Goldie was unique. I can see that my mother, Lorene, too was unique. I can not carry on for her any more than my mother could carry on for Goldie. Lorene was not Goldie anymore than I am Lorene. Also, my Mother's Mother was younger than I am now when she died and of course, my own Mother younger yet. So in many different ways, Lorene's life has not been my life.

Still, the strain of Goldie lived through my Mother, I saw it many times and she keep Goldie alive in a variety of ways with stories and habits and even expressions. Of course Goldie lives through me as well. I can take up the family strain and pass it on as best I can. Or I can choose to let it go. In this way, I modify and strengthen my own personal strain and add it to the mix along with Goldie and Lorene and God knows who else. And he does! Because in the long run, it is everyone. We all carry on the strain of humanity. We can't not do that, but we can choose what to add and what to subtract from the strain. Unless of course, we are so asleep me cannot think for ourselves. And then the choice will be made for us.

Is this then a Living Legacy? And if so, what legacy do I want to live on? My mother left a monetary legacy, it was her desire and wish to do that and she did. It may not be my desire, but I will leave a legacy nonetheless and so will each and every other person. today it is sometimes described as our footprint. I think it describes it well and I am hopeful for the future.

In this way, we are all a living Legacy