Well, I had a great birthday. I got great stuff, enjoyed visiting with family, went for a nice drive with Dave, and got to eat my favorite cake. (Thanks again, mom!) I know that, at 25, I can hardly consider myself old. But still its a landmark age. I still feel the same as I did at 17 and in many ways I think "How did I get here?" "Am I really a mom?" and "I can't believe that these little people rely on ME to teach them, to feed them and to love them." Sometimes I think, "I'm not old enough for this."
A few months ago I wrote a list of goals to accomplish before my birthday. I didn't quite finish it up. But I'm still proud of what I did accomplish. I really have made an effort, even if I'm not quite there yet. There are so many ways I want to change, so many things I want to be. Today I went visiting teaching to a sweet old lady. She said that even now she feels the same inside as she did when she was young. The other day while she was working at the Temple she saw a group of widows who were in the waiting room. She thought about how wonderful it was that, even at their age, they are still faithful and continued to serve in the Temple. After thinking of this for a while she realized that she was probably older than all of them. Talking to her today, I was amazed at all she does at her "ripe old age." Its really made me think about life and reflect upon what I want to be known for. What will people say about me when I am gone?
*I hope they say I was always happy.
*I hope they say that I was active. I remember attending a funeral of a great aunt when I was young. I didn't know her well, but she died while doing yard work. I remember her son saying something like, "I can just imagine Mom waking up that morning and saying, 'I'm going to pull these weeds if it kills me.'" That's how I want to go.
*I hope they remember me being fun and spontaneous.
*I hope they say I was gracious and always thinking of others. I think that it would be the best compliment in the world for someone to say that of me. I've still got a long way to go.
*I hope they know that I had a testimony of my Savior. Especially, I hope my children have their own testimonies, and have shared it with their own families.
*I hope my family knows that I love them.
These are such simple things, yet it is so easy to lose sight of them. They are the important things. I suppose everything that I do should channel into these 6 legacies. All else is just chaff in the wind.
In my next 25 years, I want to be closer to having these qualities. If the world still blogs then, I'll let you know.
What legacy do YOU want to leave behind?
6 comments:
Erin that was such a nice post. You are so wonderful and have inspired me! I am so glad you had a great birthday.
You really are all the things you said you want to be. Enjoy the next twenty five years, they will go by quicker than you think. And I do not feel twice as old as you!!!
I feel the same way a lot of times... about feeling "not old enough". :) And those are wonderful things you want to be remembered for - I could say a lot of that about you now! :) My life goal is this: when I die, I want someone to be able say about me, "She was the most patient person I have ever know." And really have it be true. I am so, so convinced that most of human folly and weakness stems from impatience, and that if we (meaning I) can just slow down, speak softly, smile, and relax, the other virtues like gratitude, charity, humility and service will come. I have a long, LONG way to go. But I'm trying... and that's what matters to the Lord.
I will always think you are spontaneous, grateful, fun, beautiful and amazing! Happy Birthday. I'm so happy you were born!
Happy Birthday! You are so inspiring. I think if you died today, people would already say some of those things about you!
You're cool. When David brought you to our house the first time, I thought "I hope he marries her..." And he did! (I liked seeing your brick in the HHS choir room during NHS meetings.)
When I turned 18, a beehive in my ward asked me "Do you feel like your life is almost over?" Heck no! It's still just beginning!
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