“… After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I’m done here?…
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I’ve done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
And don’t resent me
And when you’re feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest…”
This is a song by Linkin Park that my friend and I used to sing in high school. You know why we loved this song? It’s because in our death, we wanted to leave behind a legacy. A great one for that matter. (We are both still very alive and well just in case you’re wondering). We would say that we wanted this song sang during our funeral services.
On that cold early Monday morning, she breathed her last. She was old, and we knew that she would die some day, we were never just prepared for it. None of us knew that the day would be so near. We always planned family get togethers with her in mind, as she was the strong pillar, a woman we would seek counsel from.
Growing up I was so scared of death, of dying. I always said I would not die as Jesus would come back before I did (well, it might still happen ;)). I am all grown up now (still growing) and my mantra is to live life everyday like it is the last.
The finality of death is the most painful thing. Even though we know that death is part of the life cycle, it does not lessen the pain at the loss of a loved one.Among some African communities, it is said you never talk ill about the dead lest they come back to haunt you. So during the funeral service, even if the deceased person was a murderer, only good things will be said.
That aside, what legacy are you leaving behind? What do you want to be remembered for when you are gone? Will people live by your example even in your death?
I want to leave a legacy that my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and generations after me will look at and say, “She was one of a kind.”
What will you leave behind?
