Legacy

FrogThere were flies, dead ones, all around him. But he didn’t move. He just sat there and if left alone would have starved. The frog relied on movement to catch his prey. If it didn’t move, it wasn’t dinner.

Are we like that frog? Are we surrounded with blessings all around us but don’t see them?

It is easy for me to get wrapped up in worrying about what sort of legacy I will leave when I’m gone. I guess this is especially punctuated by the possibly of a shorter life than planned. What sort of lasting difference can I make in the world?

I search for meaning, blind to what’s standing all around me.

My children are adults now, raising their own children, my grandchildren. My legacy flows through them to their children and long after I’m gone it will continue on to newer generations, not just from genetics, but more importantly from the lessons my wife and I passed on.

This is not to say I was a perfect father. I wasn’t. I’d like to go back and fix all sorts of mistakes. So, yes, I do have regrets, but they are far outweighed by the pleasures of raising my children. Despite my screw ups, I hope they see some good examples they can pass down to their own children.

As I see it, a man should strive to make a difference in this world, but he should never miss the difference he has already made.

Our most important legacy is our contribution to the souls around us. You can write fine novels, make inspiring movies, preach mighty sermons, become the President of the United States, but if you haven’t done something to help others, you haven’t accomplished anything.

The most important goal a parent can have is to leave his child a little step up. Not in money or possessions, but a bit more confident, loving, and caring.

Your legacy? You already have it. It is all around you.

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2 Responses

  1. Russ says:

    Hi Jim,

    Fellow CLL’er from Toronto. Stumbled on to your site while researching for my own, coming online soon to a computer near you! I’ll pass along the link in another week or so when I’m up and running. You’ll be able to read my entire experience at that time if you so desire.

    You’ve got a LOT of great material here. I especially love your mindset. For me, mindset and outlook has made ALL the difference in the world. I recently outlived the original prognosis handed to me when I was first diagnosed with CLL back in 1999 when my doctor said, “You probably won’t live to see your 60th birthday.”

    SURPRISE! Not only am I still here, but at age 60 I’m probably also in the best shape of my life having been in complete remission going on four years now!

    I’d like to keep in touch and share notes with you along our CLL journey.

    email: russhamel@gmail.com
    Skype: russhamel
    Phone: 416-877-5312

    All the best from Toronto,
    Russ

    • Jim says:

      Hello Russ,

      I’m glad you found my site. Let me know when your blog is up and running and I will link to yours as well. I’m glad you showed the doctors up. And staying in shape is probably helping you tremendously. That is where you’ve got me beat… I haven’t been exercising at all lately. I have a page on my site called “exercising” so my readers can keep me on track. You will see that I haven’t been keeping up. Perhaps your example will inspire me. Other than that, Leuk is taking it easy on me for now. I’m feeling pretty good.

      You & I have other things in common besides CLL. My Dad was Canadian, born in Saskatchewan. And I grew up right on the U.S. side of the border. I only got Canadian TV channels (no cable back then). So I know all about curling, remember Pierre Trudeau and Bobby Hull, and… I can even speak Canadian!

      Looking forward to keeping it touch,

      Jim