This past Saturday was a pretty decent Saturday, as they go for teenagers. I slept in, (thank you, Mom,) relaxed in the morning, played a game with my peer-aged siblings in the afternoon, and spent the rest of the time leading up to dinner outside. It was a beautiful day: the perfect level of sun combined with just enough wind to make it tolerable to my Washingtonian tastes.
After dinner cleanup, I spent my evening writing what my mom dubs in the Meet the Kids section of our blog, my own “epic sci-fi novels.” One earbud from a busted iPod was employed fueling my creativity with a few helpful remarks from my favorite Christian rockers.
Then, with my free ear, I heard my mom discussing something with my dad. She had found her grandparents’ house on Google Earth and was expressing her astonishment at something that she had discovered there. My brother and I were beckoned over to observe the tracks made by my great-grandfather through his properties as he made a circuit of his land “multiple times a day,” (as my mom put it,) on his pickup and ATV. Sure enough, after all these years, there is still a snaking path worn into the earth that is visible from a satellite in space. This man’s tireless dedication to his work has left a lasting impression on even the ground that he worked so faithfully.
And that got me thinking. Papaw hasn’t only left an impression on the ground — he’s shaped the course of my entire life. I know it’s easy to say, “If he hadn’t taught Mom not to settle for second-best, she wouldn’t have married Dad, and I wouldn’t have been born,” and so on down the slippery slope, but it’s true. I would not be who I am today if it were not for Papaw. Though two entire generations stand between us, I benefit every day from his legacy.
Papaw left a legacy. When he taught my mom that you had to deal with the consequences of your mistakes, it was because of his words that I learned that I needed to man up to what I’d done and get to work cleaning up the mess I’d made. When he told my mom not to just believe what people tell you, he was instructing me to do my own research and check what anyone says — because the truth is that there are people out there who want to take advantage of you. When he went on the tour of his land every day to ensure its security and well-being, I learned to work hard and always do my best, no matter what.
Papaw left an honest, good, hardworking legacy. I see my dad striving to do the same every day, and I know that one day, I will see my grandchildren benefit from what my dad has left behind him. It’s a good thing. We should all be working to leave a legacy for our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all of our descendants. After all, you never know whose life you may help sculpt for the better.
One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4)