Your Legacy..

The thought of being a mom thrills me beyond belief!  There are so many wonderful memories ahead and I just keep thinking that I want them to all be 'perfect'.  With this, the memories my children have when they become parents, has intrigued the wheels of my brain to turn. 

LEG-A-CY(noun)- something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.

The word 'Legacy' means several different things to me; an no I'm not talking about the kind of legacy you hope for your daughter as she goes through sorority recruitment. 

'Legacy' is a powerful word.  It always has kept me on my toes since I became old enough to desire a family of my own.  My mom's legacy is what lives on inside of me.  Her legacy has empowered me to achieve goals that were unachievable and succeed at being the person I am today.  Even though my mom isn't physically present in my life today her spirit has always guided me in the right direction. 

When I think about leaving a legacy for my children (and eventually grandchildren), I think of people such as Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Walt Disney,  & Rosa Parks (what would Jesus do?) ....... BUT I've realized that everyday people can leave a legacy that far exceed our imaginiation, such as my mom.  I can leave a legacy for my children, just at strong as the one left for me.

What precious memories I have of my mother.  She helped create the 'Washington County Animal Shelter' out of her love for animals. My dad always used to tell me stories about how she would "adopt" every stray animal she saw.  Several of these were while driving down the road and she would insist they stop to pick up the stray dog.  I think that's actually how we acquired all of the dogs we had as pets.  My husband always jokes that I pay more attention to our dogs than him. Of course, he's joking, but my love for animals is in abundance.  My mother was a teacher at Stratton Elementary, which was located in a rather low-income neighborhood for the simple fact that she told my dad, "she wanted to change the world".   Through her teaching she influenced many students at the different schools she taught.  She enjoyed sewing and "crafting" which are many of the things I enjoy myself. She was a member of the Junior League and many other community organizations.   She volunteered throughout the community, not for self satisfaction, but for the simple determination to help others and bring them joy.

Most of all, she wanted to be a mom, like ME!

Memories can sometimes fade over time.   I might forget the sound of her voice, the 'cackle' of her laugh, or the way she held her pen to write, but her legacy will last forever.   

Whether your role-model is someone you speak to daily, someone who crossed your path once or twice, or maybe someone you've never had the chance to meet; their legacy can influence, encourage, and empower you to achieve the highest goals you set for yourself. 

Through God, we can believe that the IMpossible is possible!

As a mom to my dearest Lula Mae, I promise to do all of the above and most importantly love her until the end of time.  I promise to leave a leagacy for her as strong as the one my mom left for me.

Whether you're a mom, grandmother, daughter, father, caregiver, teacher, cross walk attendant, bus driver, or neighbor to a small child; you may be a celebrity in their eyes. 

What legacy will you leave behind? What will YOU be remembered for?


Job 1:21
Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.