I had a great-aunt who died two, maybe three years ago. It’s a pity I don’t remember exactly when. I remember meeting her when I was a child and thinking she looked like my grandmother, which was odd because she was my grandfather’s sister. She and her husband didn’t have children of their own, so I guess she was especially fond of the children of her brothers and sisters. When she died, her “estate” was willed to her nieces and nephews. As a majority of the nieces and nephews had already passed on, the estate was in turn passed on to their offspring. I guess you can see how far down the line that could’ve gone … and it did. After all was said and done, I got a check a few months ago from her estate. I certainly did appreciate it and put it to good use, but it made me think - what will I leave behind when I go?
It’s nice to think you’ll end up with money or material possessions to pass on to those you love. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll have much in the way of material possessions to leave. “Stuff” has never held much interest for me ...
I have a picture I think is beautiful that my grandfather gave me and it’s hanging on the living room wall. My grandfather’s parents bought it from a traveling salesman when HE was a baby. It’s a mother in a doorstep feeding 3 little girls while a man works in the field behind the house. I look at that picture and see all kinds of stories, and while it’s very special to me, I’m not too sure anyone else would feel the same!
The collection of jewelry that I possess is pretty small. I have a nice diamond that Calvin gave me, but that’s about the extent of my jewels. Even having 4 holes in my ears hasn’t caused me to want a lot in the jewelry department!
I have a small collection of books and writings, and I hope they would be special to someone. Most of the writings are my own - I’ve been writing since early high school and have found great comfort in being able to do so. Who knows - maybe down the road a future generation will wonder where the desire to “put pen to paper” comes from and they’ll learn a little of the past.
That's the extent of my material stuff ... but what would I REALLY want to leave behind?
The more I think about it, the more I feel that the things that are most important are the things that can’t be taken away, or sold, or auctioned off to the highest bidder. The most important things are those little pieces of yourself, who you are deep inside when no one else is looking, what you stand up for or against, how you take disappointments as well as fortunes, how you treat people that can’t possibly help you, and hundreds of other “little” things. Perhaps THEY are the only “things” worth leaving for someone else.
These are the things I want to leave behind for my daughter … and HER daughter … and even HER daughter … along with that living room picture!
