This year has been a hard year on my family.  We have been through a lot.  Therefore, our Christmas celebration this year was bittersweet.  The loss of Memommie hit hard and her absence was obvious.  If nothing else, this year we have learned that life is short.  No matter if it ends this year or 50 years from now, I have a limited number of days. We all do. My grandmother had 90 years to make her mark.  This weekend we celebrated the lives of all of our grandparents.  Many of our gifts were old pictures, jewelry and coins from the past.  Each has its own story to tell. These stories weave through time to tie us to our heritage. 

You have heard the saying that ‘you can’t take it with you when you go’…that is true.  However, what you leave behind will remain as your legacy to those that follow after you. Your children and grandchildren will remember the actions and activities that fill your days.  They will tell stories about you…about the food you cook and the flowers you grow.  About your car and your dog.  They will look at old pictures and remember.  They will laugh and cry when you are gone.  They will look at your sentimental possessions as treasures and pass on the old tales of each lovingly to their children so that you will not be forgotten. 

Today, you are building your legacy whether you know it or not.  Everything you do tells them something about you.  It would be nice if we could pick the things, our children would remember about us…but we cannot.  The details are different in each of their minds. They may remember the harsh words of an argument while we think about a fun outing.  They may take joy in a small acknowledgement that we do not even remember. That kind of makes you think doesn’t it?

 Realizing that life is short, gives new perspective on today.  It makes each action count.  It causes us to think about the good and the bad of everyday life, and how it will be remembered.  It makes words extremely important…both said and unsaid, written and unwritten.  Our words are the building blocks of our heritage.  Memories are the mortar that holds the legacy together so it will stand over time.  Sentimental possessions are the proof of what is important to us now that will remind others of what is important in the future. 

Christmas is a season for reflecting about our lives, and our faith.  Sometimes we are carried away with hustle and bustle, but despite all of that, we know the day marks time each year.  We review the year and think about life…and how fast it is moving.  What is your legacy?