RoslynReynolds.com

What’s your Heritage?

Posted On Friday, February 6th, 2009

Under: Healing after Loss, The Power of a Positive Outlook

Today was my Dad’s birthday. I say was because ten years ago, the cancer he so valiantly fought finally won the battle. I was thinking about him as I sat in bed last night, and I thought, What a heritage he left me!

How am I different because of my Dad?

He taught me so much. I do remember some few times when he took me aside and gave me a ‘talking-to’, but most of what he taught me I learned by observing him.

He was honest. He worked hard; harder than most people I knew. He went in early and came home late. There were times I resented that, but our family was well provided for, and I see from my perspective now that some of that may have been to make up for some unwise choices that some of us children made. He paid for some of our unfortunate mistakes, and looking back, I am sorry that I didn’t realize it in time to tell him thank you while I still could.

He was musical, as was my mother, so I grew up in a musical home. That has changed my life. I never became great with any musical talent, but I can enjoy the great music, and what talent I did develop brings me the ability to serve, and I can find relaxation, release, and peace when I sit at the piano or pick up my violin.

Dad loved good books. Downstairs one room was dedicated to his extensive library, and I loved the smell of all the leather-bound volumes filling the shelves and cupboards.

When something was important to Dad, he dedicated his life to it. He loved the gospel, and his life showed it. He loved genelogy and working hard to trace his ancestors, and there were many years when our dining room table was covered more times than not with huge volumes of family history records.

Dad lived his life the way he did because he knew it would make a difference to him, but also to his children and his grandchildren. He was creating a heritage.

I realize not everyone has a dad like mine that they felt safe with, and that gave so much to make their life better. But we can each decide what heritage we will leave to those who come after us.

While we are healing from our loss, we can decide what effect we are having on others, and the heritage we will leave behind us. Will we choose to give our lives to something important? Will we fill it with good books, great music, and hard work? Will we be dedicated to that which we feel is important?

I attest that the more we look forward, and the more we think about the heritage we are weaving for the future, the less we will be focusing on our own pain and on what we have lost. As we move through our grief and are able to think about making plans for the future, we will find peace as we build a heritage that will bless those around us for years after we are gone.

May you consider the heritage you have, and the one you will leave, and choose something to focus on now that will make those who live with you and those who come after want to thank you!

Thank you, Dad!

-Roslyn

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