I have attended many funerals of people who have accomplished great things publicly and professionally. Published authors. Community leaders. Generous donors to causes. People whose names appeared on buildings.
These types of accomplishments are often what we think about when we think about “legacy.”
But in the sacred space of a funeral service, in the grief-stricken words of a eulogy, those external achievements barely merited a mention.
Through eulogies I’ve learned much about the character and values of people who have made a difference where it mattered: with individual people in their lives.
A son spoke about a mother who would grab a mitt and a ball to play catch with him after the big kids kicked him out of the game.
A daughter spoke about a father who got up in the middle of the night to drive a long distance to pick her up when she was having a bad experience at a friend’s house.
A grandchild spoke about a grandparent who showed up to their games or always asked about their friends.
A best friend spoke about the person who was always willing to listen without judgment.
In every case, the moments shared spoke volumes the character and values of the deceased. The impact was obvious.
The Legacy that Matters Most
Regardless of one’s social status, how much money they accumulated or donated in their life, how many buildings bear their names, or how many best-sellers they wrote, the legacy they left was more intimate and personal.
Buildings get torn down. Books become outdated. Innovations get supplanted by newer innovations.
“Impacting the world” is an amorphous life goal.
Our most impactful legacy is how we touch the people in our lives and the way we make them feel.
Every interaction with another person — whether a friend, family member, or stranger — is a moment where you have the opportunity to make an impact and leave a legacy.
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