Legacy- something passed down from a predecessor or ancestor

My grandmother passed away this weekend. It was not expected, but I don't know that death is ever anything you can prepare yourself for, nonetheless, she passed away in her sleep early Saturday morning. Reflective person that I am, I have spent some time these last couple days thinking about Grandma, looking at old pictures, and considering the legacy that she has given to me...


Strength- My Grandma raised 4 kids alone. She worked to take care of her family. I can't say I ever even heard her or my mom complain about the situation, Grandma just did what was needed. She was a woman of great strength.

Generosity- Grandma never had a lot of money, but she was always the first to give. Sometimes when you would get a card with a check in it, you had to wonder if she was giving you the very last pennies in her account. There was nothing of hers that she would not give. She was the one that sent Tori "sheepy" when she was first born. She was an extremely generous woman.

Love- Whether it was her children and grandchildren, her husband Ken, her scary German Shepherds named Thunder and Lightning (I was so afraid of them), or her home in New Hampshire (lovingly called "The Levings Lazy Acres")--Grandma loved these important things in her life with all her heart. I suppose her love is what drove her generosity and her strength.

That is a pretty amazing legacy to have been given. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my Grandma, because she lived far away, but I am struck today at the impact that she has had on my life. I have seen these qualities of strength, generosity and love in my Grandma, and I see them in my mom and how she is living her life, and I hope someday my girls will say they saw them in me, so that in turn their children will hopefully see it in them and the legacy will live on.

Thank you Grandma...I will do my best to continue your legacy!