Gone But Not Forgotten

Yesterday, was the 6 year anniversary of the day my dad lost his fight with colon cancer.  As anniversary days often tend to do, I was on a roller coaster of emotions throughout the day, but I seemed to be having a bit more trouble this time.  This year was a bit different as it was the first year that the anniversary fell on the actual day of the week he had passed,so I thought that maybe that was the cause.

Then, during a conversation with my mom it hit me.  I told Mom, “I just don’t ever want to forget him.”  You see, as time passes, memories fade, and while that may help with the sadness it can actually be quite distressing to think of forgetting my dad.

Mom’s response to me was, “And he didn’t want to be forgotten.”   While that may not seem all that profound it really struck me how true that is for all of us.  We toil through life to provide for our families so that we might leave a legacy that we will be remembered for once we are gone.

I think entrepreneurs have an extra dose of whatever it is that drives a person to leave a legacy behind.  That drive is what makes them stay up until all hours of the night working when other people with a normal “job” are resting peacefully in their beds.  Then when they do get to bed they toss and turn with all of the ideas and all of the possibilities for the future.  Then they get up early to begin working on their mile long to do list.  They do it for the hope that their wife will be able to stay home, that their children will have a better life, and so that they can make a mark on the world that will remain for generations.

My dad was a passionate preacher, a loving father and a devoted husband.  He built a home for us wherever the church took us.  He taught my brothers and I that no matter what the rest of the world is doing you have to stick to your beliefs.  He taught us not to be afraid of hard work and to always work to improve yourself and your situation.  There were times that he worked 3 jobs to keep us fed and clothed yet he always found time to work towards his dreams.   He had various business ideas that he started from carpet laying, to rentals, to an invention.

Throughout my life I played a variety of sports.  My dad was always on the sidelines pacing until the last minute.  Then, on the way home he would tell me, “You did a great job, but you can do better.”  At the time, it always bothered that he wasn’t happy with me the way I was.  Now, I realize that he was more than happy with me.  He was simply pushing me to never settle and to always grow.

While I may not always be able to remember the sound of his voice, I know that I will never forget his words of encouragement and of wisdom.  I only hope that I can leave half the legacy that he has left for me to follow.

What kind of legacy would you like to leave?  What are your dreams and aspirations?  What are you doing to reach them?  How will people remember you?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions I suggest you figure out what you want out of life and start working to achieve it.

To good memories,

Sarah