What is my legacy?

I have been thinking a lot this past month or so about what we leave behind when it is our time to go. Some people might think that kind of thinking is a bit morbid but after joining this "club" you start to look at death in a different light. Clint used to carry around a quote in his wallet that said "The only things you can take with you when you go is your relationships and your knowledge, everything else doesn't matter." I agree with that quote but I also disagree. What about the people left behind? How will they remember you?

So...what do you leave behind? How will they remember you? Basically you leave behind a legacy. I believe that everyone leaves a legacy behind...from a baby who dies before they are born to a person who lives 200 years...we all touch someone in some way.  What is the definition of a legacy? Good ol' Webster says "something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past (the legacy of the ancient philosophers)" For example: He left his children a legacy of love and respect.

Clint's birthday was yesterday and last night I was thinking of his legacy. His legacy would be service, hard work and love. His biggest goal in life was to become financially set so he could help others who needed it. He was always moving people in and out of our ward. His most favorite Family Home Evening was to make cookies and go take them to people. One year, probably about 6 years ago, he came up with The Halloween Phantom. He came up with a poem basically about serving others and my sister drew a ghost that the poem sat in. We took the ghost put it on a plate of cookies and took it to 5 families who were supposed to do the same thing to 5 other families. Once night a week or so later someone did the Phantom to our house and he just grinned thinking about all the other families getting cookies. He worked hard for everything in life. When we were newly married he got laid off a construction job because he put the way ahead of schedule. He was without a job for a week or so until our landlord got him a job on a ranch. He had to go paint fences out in the snow, they were so impressed with him that once he found a job they practically begged him to stay. He also loved every person he came across, I have never seen someone give so much unconditional love before. I never realized how many people he touched until his last day in the hospital. I couldn't believe how many people came to say goodbye to him.  As I reflected on his legacy I realized how proud of him I am and how proud of him our children are. His legacy truly is amazing.

After thinking about Clint's legacy last night, I started thinking about mine. Am I living the way I want my kids to remember? I honestly don't know. They know I have a testimony and a passion for music. But I am not sure that right now my legacy is strong enough for them. I think I have some work to do in this area. Life is short, you never know when you will be called home...I think it is time to live to be a better person so that when it is my time my kids will be proud of me.

So I guess it is time to ask yourself...what is my legacy?