Life can change in an instant. One thing that is sure to happen to all of us is we are going to die. Sooner or later the curtain of life will fall and our short time on this earth will be over. I had an instance that reminded me of this fact earlier this week.
Over the last few weeks I have had the feeling that I should travel to Reno, Nevada to visit some of my family. My hubby was gone so even though it was going to be several hours in a car with little children I decided I should take off and go. Usually I have a list a mile long of all the things my family could/should do on vacation, but this time I couldn’t seem to put anything together. I really just wanted to go and not be so anal about our trip.
The day after I got to Reno I went to visit my Grandma who I love dearly. She was feeling a little under the weather but was happy to have company and welcomed us in. Lately I have been interested in learning more about my ancestors. While we were visiting I asked my grandma about her parents and grandparents. She shared stories about them she showed me some quilts that her mother had sewn that were hanging on her walls. I was even able to borrow one of my great grandpa’s journals to look over for the week. After a while we decided to let her rest and planned to get together another day. After we left her health declined rapidly and within 2 hours an aunt of mine took her to the hospital. She was quickly moved to ICU and remains there today.
Over the last few weeks I have had the feeling that I should travel to Reno, Nevada to visit some of my family. My hubby was gone so even though it was going to be several hours in a car with little children I decided I should take off and go. Usually I have a list a mile long of all the things my family could/should do on vacation, but this time I couldn’t seem to put anything together. I really just wanted to go and not be so anal about our trip.
The day after I got to Reno I went to visit my Grandma who I love dearly. She was feeling a little under the weather but was happy to have company and welcomed us in. Lately I have been interested in learning more about my ancestors. While we were visiting I asked my grandma about her parents and grandparents. She shared stories about them she showed me some quilts that her mother had sewn that were hanging on her walls. I was even able to borrow one of my great grandpa’s journals to look over for the week. After a while we decided to let her rest and planned to get together another day. After we left her health declined rapidly and within 2 hours an aunt of mine took her to the hospital. She was quickly moved to ICU and remains there today.
We don’t know what the outcome will be with my grandmother right now, but we do know that she will pass from this life soon. In reflecting on this fact, I have come to ponder the question, “what will I be remembered for?” As I have been looking at my ancestors I have started to categorize them. Grandma Hellen loved to sew and make porcelain dolls. Grandpa Van made it a goal in life to do something nice for someone else every day. Grandma Sarah forgave and cared for her father later in life, whom had abandoned her and her sisters to die as children. I read these stories and I am so inspired by these people that I have come from. I believe that if well all looked into our ancestry we would also be awe stricken and gain strength knowing who we come from. This is where my question is stemming from. “What will I be remembered for?”
I have children, and I hope they will be able to grow and someday have families of their own. I want to watch them get married, have kids, and experience life. I want to watch my kids children do the same. I want to have the opportunity to grow old and I know someday I too will be laid to rest. When I am laid to rest will my family remember me as the mom that was always in a hurry to get things done? Who never really knew them? Who cared more about what was going on around her family than what was going on in her family? Or will I be remembered as a woman who truly loved her family and people? One who knew what was important and did not let distractions get in the way of what mattered most to her?
My ancestors live on. They live on in my memories of them and the stories I have of them. I want to live on as well, but not as the woman that was always tied up in doing the “thick of thin things.” I am fearful that I show the characteristics of how I don’t want to be remembered all too often. It is so easy to get caught up in a whirlwind and step over the important people/instances/moments in life. I know I have already stepped over to many people/instances/moments and I pray I will not skip over any more.
I believe faith without works is dead, so I have a few questions we can ask ourselves to help us evaluate what we want to be remembered for/as. Take a couple of minutes and write down your answers to the following questions.
1. What do you want to be remembered for? (Kindness, Cleanliness, Charity, Forgiveness, Love, Health/Fitness, and/or activities you do?)
2. What do you want your family and friends to say about you when you pass?
When done ask yourself:
1. Am I living my life the way I want to be remembered?
2. What changes can I do today that will lead my life the way I want it to go?
3. Can I commit to changing and how am I going to change? (Create a plan to change for the better)
About this Author: De Kinsey is the co-owner/manager of LIFE 1010™. She worked as a licensed residential and commercial escrow officer for over 5 years. This experience helped her learn how to analyze and understand legal documents and translate them in a way the general public could understand. De Graduated from Utah Valley University in Psychology and in Community Health Science. She understands how a person’s psyche and personal health can have positive and/or negative impact on their LIFE and financial well being. She brings this knowledge into the LIFE 1010™ program.
I believe faith without works is dead, so I have a few questions we can ask ourselves to help us evaluate what we want to be remembered for/as. Take a couple of minutes and write down your answers to the following questions.
1. What do you want to be remembered for? (Kindness, Cleanliness, Charity, Forgiveness, Love, Health/Fitness, and/or activities you do?)
2. What do you want your family and friends to say about you when you pass?
When done ask yourself:
1. Am I living my life the way I want to be remembered?
2. What changes can I do today that will lead my life the way I want it to go?
3. Can I commit to changing and how am I going to change? (Create a plan to change for the better)
About this Author: De Kinsey is the co-owner/manager of LIFE 1010™. She worked as a licensed residential and commercial escrow officer for over 5 years. This experience helped her learn how to analyze and understand legal documents and translate them in a way the general public could understand. De Graduated from Utah Valley University in Psychology and in Community Health Science. She understands how a person’s psyche and personal health can have positive and/or negative impact on their LIFE and financial well being. She brings this knowledge into the LIFE 1010™ program.
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