Legacy

On: Grief and Memories

Legacy is your essence left behind…

As you can imagine, life without Scott has been extremely difficult for anyone and everyone who knew him. He was an honorable and caring man with a big personality and stories to tell. He was a jack of all trades and really could do just about anything. He was taught well by his father and family (and he may have even learned a thing or two from his wife and mother). Now that I have been left in charge of the family, home, and business, the idea of his legacy keeps coming to the forefront of my thoughts. 

What is a person’s legacy anyway? One may consider legacy to be wealth left behind, or an organization that helps forward the cause of an underprivileged group of people. But when I think of legacy, I think of the essence of a person. The way that a person made you feel. A feeling so strong that it stays with you forever. Every person I talk to these days reminds me of just that and it makes me so proud to be a part of Scott’s legacy, since we were attached at the hip. Here are a few things that people have told me about Scott recently and I am sure you will agree that what they say does, in fact, illustrate his essence. 

“He made me feel important. Every time he came into the store, he addressed me, gave me a hug and genuinely cared about me.”

“He made me feel like part of the family, even though I am just a customer.”

“He walked on the fishing boat not knowing anyone, and by the end of the trip was encircled by everyone on the boat. He made connections instantly. He was an avid storyteller.”

“He loved you very much!”

“My home is filled with memories of him because he did so much great plumbing work for us.”

“He sure did sweat a lot! You never wanted to be working below him, unless you enjoyed getting soaked.”

“As a t-ball player, no matter how bad I was at the game, he encouraged me and loved me just the same.”

I know there are so many other ways I could express his essence, but the man, the legend lives on in our hearts and our minds and thank goodness for that. What a guy! Thanks to all of the people who have been keeping us in their thoughts and hearts. It makes me proud to know that his memory helps you to be the person you are today because he had an impact on it. Thanks Scotty!