Legacy

I was asked to sing at a funeral this past weekend.

I was honored to have been asked.  While I don't know the family very well on a personal level, our families, it seems, have always known each other - through church, mutual friends, going through school together, just living in this town all our lives.   They are a family that I've always held in high esteem and I always will.

The funeral was filled with folks that are, to me, the foundation of this town.  They are the families that have been here for generations and, likely will be, for generations to come.  While everyone was so saddened by this sudden loss, there was a lot of comfort to see so many amazing folks gather together to show their respect, love and support of a family they hold so dear.

I was humbled to have even the littlest part in the day.

The brother of the gentleman who passed away spoke at his eulogy.  Four of his five children spoke as well.  They all spoke with an eloquence that can't be described.  (I've only heard such eloquence one other time when, in fact, listening to three friends give a eulogy for their dad a little over a year ago.  They sat in the front row on Saturday, providing comfort and love in a way only they can.  They are walking the walk now, without their dad.  They will, I know, be there for this family, however and whenever, needed.) 

As I sat and listened to these amazing words, I was in awe listening to the legacy this man has left.  Simply by doing nothing other than being himself.  He was an awesome (in the truest sense of the word) man:  husband, father, brother and friend.  I can't even begin to give you examples of what this man was.  What this man did.  I sat there and was honestly so sad for all the people in the church who will miss him every day.  He was, I know, an unbelievable human being.  Plain and simple.

It made me wonder what my legacy will be.  Now, I now that (I hope) I still have years to go before someone's reading my eulogy (God forbid) and I guess I don't need to panic (just yet), but really.  If I were to die to tomorrow, what would my legacy be?

I feel as if I'm just a converse-wearing knucklehead who gets through the day by making fun of herself, her children and her husband.  That won't make for much of a eulogy.  My legacy is weak, at best, at this point.

I guess I need to start working on building my legacy.  But you're not supposed to think about building a legacy.  You're supposed to just do it.  Just by being you.

Humph. I guess that's all I can do.  Just be me.  I just hope that's good enough...