Pursuing a Legacy

"The only thing you take with you when you're gone is what you leave behind." -John Allston

Every experience is filed deep in the recesses of our brain. And with the right impulses those pesky tiny neurons in our head scurry to dig up what our subconscious associate with those impulses.

What we understand of ourselves or know of others is based on what we remember. Just as what I know of you is what my impression was OF you, what you know of me is what impression I left on you. How we look at the past is viewed through the prism of experience we had at that moment.

One summer when my son was about 5 years old, we walked into to a kite shop. We found one which was affordable, and had the latest rage for kids: the Teenage Ninja Turtles showing off their skills on the multi-colored plastic sheet. Having been raised in an era where we had to create our own toys (did I just date myself?), purchasing a kite was almost blasphemous. But who can say no to a shy "Please, dad?"

So I did, or more accurately, my wife did and off we went to our great adventure in kite-flying. We found a nice clear patch of grass in a park and after a few tries, the kite was up. Just as we settled down to enjoy the fruit of our labor, my boy declared, "Wanna play catch!" We were stunned!

"But what about the kite?" we asked. He looked up, pointed at the kite, giggled, "Ninja! Ninja!" and run off to play catch!

We made so much hoopla out of flying a kite that that became our goal. Looking back, as far as my boy was concerned his goal was accomplished at the kite shop. We realized everything else was for mom and dad. He did not consciously do "all this mental stuff" of course. It just happened.

And a lesson’s learned. You can really take the wind off flying a kite by focusing on flying the kite and forgetting everything else.

We remember experiences because we must. It is vital to our humanity and survival. Memory can propel us to new heights and endeavors or paralyze and hold us back for all sorts of fears. It provides endless joy for those us lucky enough to be remembered in a good light. It is a source of endless pain for those of us who watch our loved ones begin to lose theirs.

And in the end, we are nothing more than how we affect those around us. What good would it do us or our children if we simply bought a kite and flew it?

Buying or building a kite is not the point. Sharing every step of the way is. Then FUN happens because fun is what you feel at the moment. Happiness is what lingers; among others, it is what we hold in the deep recesses of our brains. That experience makes it all worthwhile.

Stringing memories is a priceless legacy. How do you want to be remembered?

Apologetics

Mary and the Saints

Mass and the Eucharist

Prayers

Novenas

The Rosary

Archived Articles

Prayer Requests

Tours and Pilgrimages