My legacy

There has been much talk lately about the one piece of wisdom an elder can give those coming up behind. I've heard many things, but none of them ring true enough for me to choose them as my gift to my children, hearts of my heart, the joys of my life.

The gift I would give my children is my strength.

Not my physical strength, that has always been a rather doubtful part of my make up. And not the strength that I claimed in my youth because that was false. It always relied upon leaning on someone else's shoulders.

It is the strength that lies deep within me, that irrepressible spark that made it possible for me to make do, to go on, and to find enough joy in the moments, no matter how scattered they might be, to make my life more than just endurable, but ultimately a good one.  It is not something I can claim any power over.  It is just there.

It is the part of me that heard my mother's voice when she wasn't there. It is the part of me that heard you calling when you needed me. It is that part of me that finds the joy in amongst all the rest. 

It is your birthright given to you by every ounce of love I have ever felt for you.