A Father's Legacy

What is a legacy? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2011) defines it as "something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past."


Those of you who know me for quite some time all know that I get very sentimental when it comes to family.


I'm lucky enough to have been blessed with loving parents and crazy siblings that drive me nuts yet make life worth living through hell or high water. (I was also blessed with some amazing friends. If you're reading this, chances are you're one of them. Thank you.)


One of my classmates in my master's program who has now become a dear friend, started blogging some poems he wrote over the years after I told him about my own blog.


I enjoyed reading his poems but this one got me bawling - "Dad's Will"

Dad's Will

It was a cold day in July

And that may sound strange

But not as odd --

As when the lawyer called my name.

We were sitting at a table

8 feet across

Reading of The Will

Of the Father we lost.

My brother and sister,

Sat with me side by side

Our thoughts of our Dad

Our emotions we could not hide

He read my sister's name

He said she inherited the house and the land

She looked confused

She really did not understand

The lawyer read on

A quote to my Sis

"I gave you the above

To give me a Family, I miss."

My Brother was next,

As he pointed to him

He gives you his money

He said with a grin.

The Lawyer read a quote

"Take care of your Sister and your Brother

Take care of your family

And take care of your Mother."

The lawyer then turned

And pointed to me

I was sorta scared

And the youngest of the three.

The Lawyer read about a car

But none of us knew

He would Will me a Corvette

A 1962.

"In a barn in Virginia,

Full of dust

You'll find your Corvette

With minimal rust."

We left the Lawyer

And Virginia we were bound

We were looking for a city

My Dad's hometown.

No rent car at the airport

No AVIS to be found

We were laughing out loud

Asking, how would we get around?

My sister said horseback

We all began to laugh

As I spotted a truck

In the tall weeds and grass

The sale price was 500

Or, O.B.O

My brother asked the farmer,

Are you sure this thing well go?

We piled into the cab

On our adventure we went away

Driving into the sunset

At the end of the day

We fought about everything

From the gas, to what we would eat

As we passed a McDonalds

I offered, this is my treat.

We looked at our map

To find the car on our quest

My sister suggested

Maybe, this is all a big test.

We found us some rooms

To get us some rest

A flea bag motel

My brother was not impressed

Tobacco Road

And turn left at the crow's nest

Down the gravel path

And you'll find the Corvette

We unlocked the barn

And opened the doors wide,

And under the hay

My Corvette did hide.

My brother just laughed

And said, he just keep the truck

My sister insisted

We'll start it with some luck.

In the passenger seat was a simple wooden box

Inscribed on the box, for all to see

Were the names of us all?

My brother, sister, and me

In an envelope under the box

Was a letter I read.

"I am sorry you are all here

For, I must be dead."

"Inside the box

Is a bottle of wine

I hope you enjoyed the adventure

And all of your time."

"I can go in peace

As I give a final toast

Take your possessions,

But never once boast."

None of us talked

As we raised our glasses to the skies

This one is for you Dad

With tears in our eyes.

We later closed the barn doors

And left the Corvette in the hay

I decided to Will it to my son

On that glorious day.


al. newman 7-29-09

From: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8292473/dads_will.html?cat=42

So what is a legacy? Is it a house, property, money or a '62 Corvette? I guess some of us will be lucky enough to inherit those kinds of assets from our parents but not all of us will (I know I won't! =P). I know my friend Al values the legacy of his father's message more than the car itself.


I consider legacy to be something I can hold on to right now until after my parents have left this world. There are many things I can think of yet none which have monetary value - self-worth, self-respect, self-esteem, self-confidence...and even more important, having skills to be a responsible adult. Sure, they can't pay for my car or loans, but my mom has taught me that I can do it myself with proper budgeting and self-discipline, and my dad has taught me that worrying about bills will just make a person older before their time and it still won't cover the tab.


It's not easy - I'm still struggling with delaying immediate pleasure for later gain (I really want to go on a 2-week trip to the Philippines or a cruise in the Bahamas!) and there are days when I want to revert to being just a kid again - but my parents raised a strong kid from weakness and when the self-doubt comes in the door, Mama and Papa kick it right out the window!


To any parent reading this - carefully consider what kind of legacy you want your children to have when you are gone. How do you want to be remembered?

To any child reading this - think about what you have already inheritted from your parents through your growing up years. Then, if they're still around, make some time for them so you have more precious moments to remember them by.


I know it's way past Father's or Mother's Day but if you still have your parents around, take a moment to thank them for leaving you a legacy whether it be a house on a hill, personal values, siblings (yes, they count!!!), or even just a name.