As soon as I finish writing this blog post (and mopping the kitchen floor), I head out to Seneca, South Carolina to celebrate the life of my cousin’s husband, Alan Gates, who died unexpectedly and well before his time. I anticipate a beautiful tribute to an accomplished, caring, committed pilot and entrepreneur who served his country, family, community, and friends with conviction, passion, and pride.
When I first start working with clients on discerning their life purpose, two questions I ask them to consider are (1) what legacy do you wish to leave, and (2) what message do you want your obituary or epitaph to convey. Another perspective is….
What will The Hyphen between your date of birth and date of death represent? A life of meaning, joy, focus, service, and passion?
For me to answer such questions, it helps to consider the legacy of my parents who died in 1999. My mother taught me to laugh, create, love animals, and appreciate the wonder and beauty of nature. My father instilled in me a deep desire to know God; to love my family; to serve my fellow man with deep humility; to treat all people with utmost respect; and to press forward against all odds (son of a donkey farmer, Dad rose to the ranks of Commodore of the U.S. Navy’s Service Force Sixth Fleet).
What legacy do I wish to pass on to my daughters? What do I want my life to stand for?
I’ll share the answers with you as long as you promise you’ll write out your own answers over the next 24 hours. Deal?
When people gather to celebrate the life of Jory Hingson Fisher…when my children reflect on the essence of their mom…, I want them to remember me as a person who:
1. Loved God and family with her whole heart and soul and mind and strength
2. Served her fellow man with deep humility and who treated all persons with utmost respect
3. Laughed and created and loved animals and appreciated the wonder and beauty of nature
4. Pressed forward even when challenges seemed insurmountable
5. Strove to become a good and faithful servant—to become the person God intended her to be
6. Knew her God-given purpose and lived it with conviction, clarity, commitment, passion, and joy
7. Experienced heaven on earth because of her relationship with Jesus, her Good Shepherd, who welcomes her graciously into His fold
And you? How do you want us to celebrate your life?
My sweet friend Jory – Love, love, love this post and the beauty of what you have to say…..I noticed that the time between your parents death was 9 months – (time that a child is conceived)…..They must have had a beautiful love!
My legacy – WOW – I am living my legacy daily and that I am grateful for – I’m not waiting, living right now:
1. They will know how much I loved GOD with all my heart, my soul and my mind….
2. Loved both Amanda and Kevin with an unconditional love.
3. Loved people with a Wabi Sabi type of love – “finding perfection and beauty in the imperfection”
4. Taught them that we are “survivors” and to perservere in times of challenges with the help and guidance of our LORD JESUS! (HE is the only way).
5. A kind, gentle, compassion, soul with a heart as big as the outdoors –
6. One that can forgive because if GOD forgives me every day, then how can I be bigger than HIM and not forgive?
Thank you for this most wonderful post and know that my condolences are with you and your family –
Nancy
Ah, Nancy, that is so wonderful. Thank you for sharing how you wish to be remembered. Love it. Love YOU!
You may find this interesting since you pointed out the 9-month span between my parents’ deaths. I was born on their anniversary…March 9th. Curious, eh?
Have a glorious week!
Jory