Last night I had the privilege of attending a birthday party for Vicky Ramirez. Vicky is a wonderful woman with a great husband, 5 terrific girls, a couple of grandkids (I can count 5, but might be missing some), and a life that she has invested in working with at-risk boys. The celebration of her life took place at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Denver (swank…great ambiance, and phenomenal meal-yummy scallops).
This morning as I was thinking about the party, I was blown away by the 80 people that showed up to honor her. As I rehearsed the stories that flowed of how her kindness and service has impacted lives, it made me think about what others will say about me when I am 60. Will there be 80 people who want to hang out with me? 80 whose lives I have touched? And, if so, why? What meaningful things would i have invested in their lives…
That is when I had an epiphany. Your legacy does not magically appear. It is intentionally and methodically crafted. And, not by the big things that you do in life. No…the people closest to me will not care about the crowds I preached to, the number of books I wrote and sold, or the number of radio stations that I am on. They will care about the ways that I encouraged and loved them. The ways that I served them with kindness, compassion, and perseverance.
So, today, I am thinking, not about the grand vision that I want to pursue, but the people that I love. And, I have made a decision. I am going to try to find ways to let them know that I care. I am going to kiss my wife, hug my girls, and wrestle with my boys. I am going to call some people just to say “hey”. Next week I am going to write some notes and emails just to encourage.
Let’s face it…when I am 60, I want to know that there are people all around that I have been faithful and loving to. No better time to begin crafting my legacy then right now.
Thanks for letting me ramble.
Sean