THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION PAGE 40 FEB/MARCH 2022 theconnectionsnj.com 50 amwellautobody@gmail.com Approved Auto Repair ! @northbranchcarwash 3/31/22. 3/31/22. “To be able to look back upon one’s past life with satisfaction is to live twice.” Fortune Cookie Proverb My age is encroaching on my ability to be cavalier about the years ahead of me. There have been too many losses and sad occurrences to pretend life goes on forever. So, as I look to the future, I am more mindful than ever of living the legacy I wish to leave, appreciating the richness of my fabric and the texture of my thoughts, as well as the beauty I hold for all I love in my heart. This “living one’s legacy” is a weighty proposition, but one I feel tasked with, nonetheless. The weight is not a burden, but rather an acknowledgement that I have achieved all I could, forgiving myself for all I could not, and recognizing the importance of each. In this way, I suppose, I will live twice. Perhaps living one’s legacy is to be known as someone who gives a smile to a stranger. Or perhaps it is a kind word one would be known to speak to one in need. It might be the ability to truly listen, not simply hear what another is saying. The engagement of one soul to another is an enormous gift, and one not given as often as necessary. A true connection seems to be created by layers and layers of all of these, each dependent upon the interaction of others, but I feel it is extremely important to consider the needs of another. I want to secure that connection with them as my life’s goal, my life’s mission, leaving that as what others think when I come to their mind. I am fully aware of this because looking to those who have gone from my life; I am struck by what they have left behind. I can see what qualities remain long after they are no longer here. I have gotten a glimpse into what is lasting versus what is simply the chatter of the day. True beauty, true radiance, a true glow, these do not fade; they exist for all time, for all memory. We fool ourselves if we believe that those can be superimposed upon our psyche. They must be intrinsic to the person. We are too smart to be fooled by that which is so banal. Is it the time we had spent together or the stories we shared? Is it the way they laughed at our silly jokes or the way they took us seriously when we needed them to do so? I do not profess to have any of these answers, since it is the vast unknown that leaves us wondering and contemplating our place in the universe. What I do believe to be of great importance is a true interest in others, a genuine desire to hear the answer to the question, “who are you?” Helping me to become one with “you” is far more important to me than ever, as I wonder how many of us truly let others in. I am no longer so “busy” in my life that I cannot take time to share my life. In its most common form, a legacy is a gift of money or other personal property, but I believe that one’s legacy is more. It is leading, teaching, modeling behavior, pointing out what is of intrinsic value. I want to believe that I live my life showing love, finding merit, and standing for what is right. I want my values to be a huge part of my legacy, that those who are in my world will know without a doubt, they are important, dear to me. I want to believe that I demonstrate that given a choice to do things with high quality and the best intentions, or do them to impress others, I make the better choice. I want to believe that when others are in need, I notice and give what I can. Won’t you join me in considering your legacy, and how you live it fully? Perhaps if we all reach out and never hold back, give of our hearts willingly and lovingly, our lives will be as they are meant to be. What more can we ask of ourselves? What more can we desire? And what can be more important? So, as I look to the future, I am more mindful than ever of living the legacy I wish to leave, appreciating the richness of my fabric and the texture of my thoughts, as well as the beauty I hold for all I love in my heart. I can see what qualities remain long after they are no longer here. I have gotten a glimpse into what is lasting versus what is simply the chatter of the day. True beauty, true radiance, a true glow, these do not fade; they exist for all time, for all memory. LIVING ONE’S LEGACY Slice of Life By Ellyn Mantell
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