Legacies

Last night at college group, Clay challenged us by saying that the only thing we will have after we pass are our stories - our legacies. Do I want to predominantly be known as a girl who played a lot of piano and loved kids? Those are both things I am passionate about, but no, I don't want them to be the things that define my life.

As hinted at in my post on beauty, I want to be a person who finds and lives out of the beauty of even the simplest things in life. I want to reflect Beauty, our Creator and Savior, in all I do. If that is music for me, then I want to work to excellence in my interpretations and improvisations, so that they are thoughtful and musical. If that is teaching music, then I want to excite others about taking black and white notes on a staff and creating beauty, as a reflection of our Creator. If that means baby sitting (or parenting, one day!), then crowning the day with love and laughter, thanksgiving and joy.

Although these thoughts were far from my mind ten years ago, I see now that God used the influence of my Granny to plant seeds in my heart even then. She was a woman who portrayed the beauty of Christ in all she did. She opened her home to many - a home that was welcoming and warm, though not lavish. Her southern cooking was for the stomach and the soul. :) Her words were never spiteful or demeaning. I have memories only of her encouragement and closeness.

Granny and Pop were charter members of a local church and even now, though they have both been gone for years, I can mention "Uncle Charlie & Jean" and immediately I am met with stories of their kindness - told by people I don't even know!

After her passing in 1999, I remember my parents and others frequently saying things like, "You like to make things pretty like Granny." "Granny would be so proud of you." And as I've grown over the past years, I have often come to hear, "Granny would just love you. You two would be the best of friends." I can't help but get a little teary-eyed, for those are truly the greatest compliments I could ever receive.

Today is Granny's birthday. In two days it will be the 10th anniversary of her death. I can't believe it's been that long. Time is flying by. And it makes me think: what is my legacy?

Granny's was one of an everlasting nature. She invested in people and set her heart toward the Lord. I can't help but think of Proverbs 31, where it says, "Her children arise and call her blessed..." (verse 28) In Granny's case, we could definitely add "and her children's children, her friends, neighbors, church family, her extended family, guests, etc."

Oh, to have that kind of legacy!

I'm so thankful to the Lord for giving me this kind of example! Even though the moments seemed entirely too short, they are treasured in my heart.

This is a photo sent to me by my Aunt Cathy. It was taken in 1962 and portrays Granny with her two sons, Chuck and Greg. In addition to her inward beauty, my Granny was also stunningly beautiful on the outside. :)