Post by Doris McCraw writing as Angela Raines
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As this year 2020 winds to an end my mind reflects on endings. The long-running show 'Supernatural' came to an end in November. Now you may ask what a television show has to do with endings, with legacies. There was a line in one of the early shows in which the writer, Chuck, says "No doubt endings are hard, but then again, nothing ever really ends." after which the character disappears from the screen.
The end of that line "...nothing ever really ends." is what brought the thought of legacies to the forefront.
So what is a legacy? The online dictionary has among its definitions: a thing handed down by a predecessor.
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We are those predecessors for those who will come after us. What are we leaving. As authors, our work will live on past us. To me, that is a very good thing. But we have more to offer, don't we?
Perhaps all the hours of researching the lives of pioneers, inventors, farmers, lawmen, and ladies of the evening, especially this year, has made me aware of what we have. We can still access old books, diaries, and letters. In this digital age, what are we going to be able to leave to those who come after us? What do we want them to know?
I'll be taking a look at, and sharing some of those 'legacies' over the next month or so. The lure is just too strong as I move toward 2021 and another year to my chronological age. It's the human aspect, the errors, and the following corrections that give me hope. No one is perfect but who we are is important. Share your stories, write those books, and give of your time to what is important to you. That is a wonderful legacy, and then as the line says, "...nothing ever really ends."
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I share my walks and photos online, Will they go away, perhaps someday, but for now I can share with those who don't have the options I have. I also appreciate all that you have shared with me on my journey. The larger legacy, we are all in this together and I've loved the company.
Colorado and Women's History
Doris,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and heartfelt sentiment about leaving a legacy. Your article about giving, kindness, and consideration of what others are experiencing in their lives, combined with the influence of the holiday season bring to mind a few lines from "A Christmas Carol" spoken by Scrooge's nephew, Fred.
"There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited...if anything belonging to it [Christmas] can be apart from that--as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of , in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to you!
Thank you, Kaye. This time of year always brings out reflections in me, and this year more than normal.
DeleteI also love the piece from Dickens. It rings true today as it did back then. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you also. Doris
What a lovely post. I have often thought it's sad that I can't have an insight into the minds of my ancestors, who are just family we never met. I like the thought that future generations may be able to access out posts, writings, and pictures more easily. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was a bit luckier than most when it came to relatives. I grew up around my great grandparents and was always a good lisener as they told their stories. As I got older and started researching I was was able to fill in some blanks.
DeleteYou're right about future generations. My hope is they will want to know. Wishing you a wonderful Holiday season. Doris
Doris, this really struck a chord with me. I always seem to get more thoughtful and melancholy in the fall and winter, and of course, I believe the dreariness and cold of those months brings that on. I tend to think more about past mistakes and "roads not taken" and miss my parents and others who have gone on. My mom tried her best to tell us the stories of her childhood. I wish I had listened better/more and written down more of those memories of hers. I understand now that she felt the urgency of time passing and that she needed to MAKE us know those people we never met, but that she had known and loved. It's odd to look at a picture of my great-grandmother I never knew, and remember the stories that Mom told me about her and the things she shared with my mom. I rarely make New Year's resolutions, but I'm definitely going to TRY to write down to the best of my recollection some of what I can remember that Mom told me. I don't know if anyone will care in future generations, but at least it will be there if they DO have an interest. Thanks for this great post.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Cheryl. I truly do believe it's the stories we heard, learn and remember that make us who we are. The world is because we are, the common.uncommon people, because we learn and share. I'm glad the post has struck a chord with those who read it. Legacy is an imporant idea for me. Someone will be interested in the stories you write down. It's the story of our lives. Doris
DeleteThis post of yours really resonated with me. I always enjoy your photos, but don't always remember to comment (seen on phone,busy at the time). We don't always know what lives we've touched. Writing is often a shot in the dark where we don't see the full impact. I never thought about our artistic creations out-living us before. I tend to think more about my children and grandchildren carrying on my legacy. I often, especially lately wonder why I write at all, but you made me remember why I do. I'm wishing you a happy holiday season.
ReplyDeleteI am glad my words allowed you to appreciate your own work. Our families are important, but I've always subscribed to the words a woman told me many years ago when I started in my first career as a counselor in a locked facility. "Always keep talking for you never know when you words will make all the difference to someone." I think that is also true for the words we write.
DeleteWishing you a Happy Holiday Season also. Doris
A thoughtful and inspiring piece, Doris. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteWarmest wishes to you and everyone,
Lindsay
Thank you, Lindsay. I wish the same for you and all those you love and care about. Doris
DeleteYou know I've always enjoyed reading your posts, Doris and often tell you so, because I mean it sincerely. Your post, and also Cheryl's reply reminded me once again that I should put aside time from my fiction writing and blogs and start a family history. I still remember sitting beside my mother's great-aunt and listening to her stories when I was four and the other great-grandmother was jealous that I didn't spend as much time with her. But somehow the great-aunt captured my imaginatioin with her stories and I wish I could remember them. I do remember her small, cramped bedroom, and the yellow smooth chunk of wax to stiffen the thread to push through the eye of the needle. I remember also, encouraging my mom to write down her memories but she never did. So much family history lost. That's why photographs are so important because they trigger memories. In the new year I'm going to set aside time and start writing what I remember not only of our family history, but what Doug and I remember of our own journey. For years I've wanted to compile a photo album for each of my boys. That's the beauty of the digital world. It's so easy now with computers to assemble words with pictures. Just scan in the pictures and make a CD. Thank you, Doris, for reminding us that we all have a legacy to pass on and that it's not just for the famous. Have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIf my posts helps people keep their stories alive I've done my job. I wish you well on you legacy journey.
DeleteI truly do appreciate your kind words on what I share. Have a great and happy Holiday Season also. Doris
Doris, this was such a timely and magnificent article. Many of us who are older think about our legacies often. I do want to leave something for the younger members of the family. The stories I write about my childhood, my siblings, friends, and parents are tiny nuggets about family history I send into the future.
ReplyDeleteI also keep journals. One is written and includes bits of present day historical tidbits along with my personal thoughts. Because of the research I've done, I discovered I liked when Pioneer women wrote about their circumstances with bits of history, like the cost of household items, or maybe included a recipe, or a note of daily interest.
I also keep a journal in which I draw pictures of what is happening or how I feel about something.
Of course, I have a writer's journal of things I see or conversations I've heard that I felt might be fodder for a story.
As you mentioned, we have our books that will live beyond us--and we're in our stories somewhere. It's good to think years from now a descendant might read some of my work. That's such a warm thought. But I want to contribute something to my friends and family and I can only hope that the way I lived my life and the tidbits about the family history will be remembered and passed down in a loving way.
What a provocative blog. I hope your Christmas is very merry and we all pray for a better New Year.
Sarah, I'm in awe of what you will be sharing with the future world. You are a gift to people who do research.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kind words about the blog. I wish you a Christmas as wonderful as you are. Doris
Very interesting. Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I do love taking wandering around and photographing the world I see. Doris
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