Pepa Brown and I 
Pepa Brown and Mema Brown - she is so beautiful - love this picture! 
Mema Garner with Kinsley, who is headed out of there! Ever wonder what kind of legacy you will leave behind? I do - not often (that would probably seem a little morbid!:) But, when I think of my two sweet girls as they grow, I think about what will stand out, or what they will remember in 20+ years.
I am at my parents, and came across a video of my Pepa Brown. It was taken in 2000, and it is pretty much him talking about his life. (If you knew him, you know this wasn't something he was necessarily comfortable doing. My mom is asking him questions - he isn't offering up any tidbits freely :)
So, it caused me to think, what do I / will I remember most about my ancestors? My grandma Johnson was quiet. I always had such a deep respect for her because I know her faith has a huge impact on why I am a Christian today. She was faithful, good hearted, and so humble.
My other great grandparents I remember distinct things about their home - mainly all the family photos and antiques. They both had amazing smiles, too.
My Mema Brown (paternal grandmother), passed away when I was young. However, I remember her closeness. Whenever I was around her, I remember being held by her, close hugs. I remember the first time they came to visit us in Florida and we took them to the ocean. I remember her quilts around the house.
My Pepa Brown passed away in 2010. Luckily, I have so many amazing memories of him. He was quiet, but so funny. His laugh could light up a room. If I could only remember 10 sounds in life, his laugh would be one of those. He had lingering hugs. You know how some people hug, then let go . . . Not him. He would hug and hug and you felt like you may be there for days!:) Another great thing about him was his hands. For the rest of my life, I will remember those hands. Those hands that worked a hard life, but were still amazingly soft. (He always had Corn Huskers lotion in his bathroom - that must have done the trick!) I have been told he wasn't much to say I Love You or be overly affectionate while his children were growing up. I'm not exactly sure when the changed occurred, but my memory of him is the opposite. He would always say I love you. Anytime you would call or visit, he would always want to know when you would be back. When visiting, it would always be a time to sit down and talk. He never was preoccupied with other things and would really focus the time. Oh and he loved Bluegrass music! You could never sit beside him without him grabbing your hand or holding on to you in some way. He was never quick to boast or brag, lived a modest life, but leaves with me a legacy of affection, laughter, and prioritizing family.
I am still blessed to have my other grandparents. My sweet Mema Garner is humble, such a gentle spirit. She always wants to make sure she says I love you and gets a response on the phone - so she knows you heard her! She is thoughtful, kind, and hard working. My Pepa Garner is a young man trapped in an aging body, but he doesn't let that slow him down one bit! He is so funny and so positive. You would never know if he is having a bad day. He is hard working, loves the outdoors, patient, and easy going.
So all this leaves me to think - what type of legacy will I be leaving? Will I be remembered as affectionate, humble, kind and gentle, positive, and so loving like so many of my grandparents? I hope so. Thank you God for such a great ancestry. And thank you for the little blessings, like a sweet video of my Pepa Brown from this morning to hear that great laugh!
No comments:
Post a Comment