Leaving a Legacy
Grandma's funeral was tough. I haven't been to many funeral's before. But I did find the whole process made it easier to grieve appropriately and then to heal. I was struck by something very special during the memorial part of the service afterwards. I got to read a small part of Grandma's diary that had been typed up for my grandparents 57th wedding anniversary. I was struck by the story of the beginning of their lives together, vividly taking me into Auckland in World War 2; helping me to be a part of their Friday wedding in an army ministers office, she in a green dress (all she could find), he in his officers uniform, and then watching as they walked away, hand in hand down Queen Street with just enough money between them to share a celebratory milkshake before he headed back to war; allowing me to feel the fear a young, pregnant girl was feeling as she searched for accommodation with her husband fighting out at sea.
Being recently married myself, I was struck by the contrast of their wedding and our wedding; would I have been happy celebrating with a milkshake?
It gave me more insight into my Grandma's character, a respect for her journey and a thankfulness for my own existence.
It made me see that even the most ordinary person can leave a legacy. All it requires is an honest account of your life and a little bit of detail. You never know who will read it - maybe it'll even get turned into a television series, like the one my husband loves to watch, full of rich history and gritty recounts; lest we forget.
How are you leaving a legacy? Who is it for?
