Will Your Choices Be Your Legacy?

TV85-Big-MR-Water-Lily-Bridge-Moon-Magpie-Flight

Margaret River Water Lily Bridge Moon – Magpie Flight

It’s only a few weeks since I last talked about my mother-in-law Judith. I knew her health was failing but I didn’t realise then how quickly we were going to lose her.

At the farewell, I watched as each of her children spoke about their mother. It was so moving that they could speak on such a sad occasion. Not just that, they were able to speak so beautifully. I thought that was really something. It was a testament to Judith.

Not so long ago she said to me. “I’ll be dead soon.” I said, “You won’t really be dead until the last person who knows you has died. Even after that, you’ll live on in the effect you have had on all our lives. Your influence will live in future generations.”

So what will be the lasting influence of Judith on her people? She was clear about the type of person she wanted to be and she was brave and determined enough to be that person. She refused to let the events of her life define her.

Judith lived through tough times. Like so many people she endured emotional violence from others. Circumstances such as these can damage a person so that they become hardened and bitter. Judith’s life demonstrated a different path and a different set of choices.

There will always be things around us that challenge us. People will be mean. Trouble will come our way. People will try to draw us into a different way of behaving. The question is will they succeed?

There will come a day when our families say goodbye to each of us. Will they be able to recognise that we resisted the forces that worked to corrupt us? Will they be able to see that we maintained integrity?

I’d want to honour Judith’s memory by how I live and the choices I make. I’d like the dark chapters and dark people of the past to be left there. I’d like to be clear about my values and have the courage to live by them every day. Just like Judith, I want my choices to be my legacy.

View: Margaret River Oil Paintings

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