legacy...

thought of a legacy?...

 

                                                                 

  I thought it would be off putting or invasive to coax strangers into revealing how they want to be remembered after spinning off the mortal coil, but, the opposite proved to be more accurate.

  HUH?  What's up with that? 

  It seemed each person I approached returned my greeting with a positive attitude and willingness to share their thoughts by offering something like, Oh, sure, what do you want to know?   

  Carl George, one of my brothers, said he thought legacies would make an interesting subject.  He was right. 

  Many of my interviewees had put considerable thought into my question long before I came along.  I posed the same question to each person:  How do you want to be remembered?  

  A woman I spoke with even said she asks herself the same question on a regular basis so she doesn't let her goals lapse. 

  Not surprisingly, the younger guests didn't really have a firm idea of a legacy, except for one 28 year old man who I included in this first of a three-part series. 

  I have conducted this kind of research many times over the past three and a half years.  Some people don't want anything to do with a stranger who walks up to them and starts babbling about a blog, but, thankfully, more people are willing to speak to me than not.  I am prepared for either eventuality as rejection is part of the process. 

  This time, it turned out to be a pleasant research experience.  I spoke with 14 random people at Oxmoor Center Mall in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this month.  Eighteen people were approached.  Four declined to be interviewed or were rejected by me.  Three of those four were reluctant to give me their last name, so, they were automatically disqualified.  

  Marsha Smith, who works at Von Maur Department Store, had a clear cut idea of her legacy.

  I want people to remember me because of my Christian faith, she said firmly.  I am leaving behind as a Jesus follower and doing what his will is for the purpose of my life.  

  Do you have a significant other, a family?

  I do, she smiled.  I have been married 18 years and I have a son who is 26 and one who is 17.

  How about a favorite memory you like to visit every now and then.  Is there a special one?

  My favorite memory is of my husband's grandma who just passed.  She was 98, she stated.  I spent the last 18 years with her.  She was an elementary education teacher for 35 years, all in First Grade.  Even at 98, grandkids loved coming around her and listening to her wisdom.

  What about a bucket list.  Have you gone that far?

  I do have a bucket list, she affirmed.  I want to go to the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico.  I always had a trip to Italy on my list, but, we went last year and had a wonderful time, so, that's off my short list.

  We went to Italy last fall.  What cities did you see?

  We saw Rome, Florence and Sorrento, Marsha replied.  It was the first time we flew internationally.  We were there for 12 days. 

  Do you plan on doing any more traveling?

  We take short trips around the area when we have the time, she responded.  We also love to go to arts and craft shows.  

  Marsha, I appreciate the time.  Thank you.

  Thanks for asking me.  

  Spencer Shane is 28 years old and works in a jewelry store.

  I have been doing retail for about three years, Shane told me. I've worked as a server and other jobs too.  I am quite the job hopper.

  You are a young man and probably haven't put a lot of thought into this yet, but, do you have a legacy you want to leave behind?  Something you want to be remembered by?

  I would like to be remembered for changing the lives of those I love, he answered.

  How do you plan on doing that?

  By doing anything I can to make them successful and happy, he claimed. Whatever it takes.

  That's interesting.  How about a long-term goal?  Anything in particular?

  I've got two goals, he said.  I would like to create happiness, however you define that, and, I would like to create generational wealth. 

  You surprise me because of your age, but, surprise me again by telling me you have a bucket list.

  I wouldn't say I have a bucket list per se, he replied, but, I would like to travel and I would like to find a line of work that is a forever kind of thing.  I am in the first third of my life, so, I don't have a long bucket list yet.

  When you say travel, do you have any destination in mind as must see places?

  Paris and London for sure and I'd like to visit a third world country and find out what it is like in those areas and see what they go through on a daily basis, he responded. 

  Shane, I hope the next two-thirds of your life prove to be a great journey.  Thanks for talking to me.

  You bet.   

  Coming up:  another observations, oddities & ?'s; a conversation with a social media influencer who has over a million followers, and; another job$ somebody's gotta do. 

  And, finally.  It's March Madness!   Last year, it was Purdue who lost to a much lower seed at the most crucial time.  This year, Kentucky lost to Oakland, a 14th seeded team.  As the late Kentucky coach, Adolph Rupp said, That's why we play the game, to see who will win.