-1-
Leaving
a Legacy The Last Lecture was
one of the books my dad read and had hung onto.
I put it on my bookshelf figuring I’d get around to it eventually. I’ve been thinking of my dad James Niermeyer
a lot lately because of Father’s Day and the time I’ve spent sorting through
boxes of photos and memorabilia of his that I brought to our place after he
passed away. Another thing that’s
brought my dad to mind is that I’ve been praying for a couple different
families whose fathers recently passed away leaving their wives and young
children behind. I know why my dad
enjoyed this book: it’s about reaching your childhood dreams, making a
difference in people’s lives, and leaving your mark on your family, friends,
and colleagues…Read more of this reflection here.
-2-
One Last Lecture from
Dad I’m not sure of everything my father would have thought most important
to share, but I know that faith would definitely have played a big role in his
talk. I am positive he would have told
some of the hilarious stories about how he and his brothers got into trouble
over the years. He would probably have
mentioned how much he looked up to each of them a great deal.
I’m not sure of
all of the messages he would have included for his three daughters,
though. I guess one of the biggest
questions I have is: what would my dad’s talk have included after he’d retired
from being one of the top executives at a major corporation, when he had long
since lost his football player physique, and when he was faced with the
certitude of an early death? I know from
our many talks and visits in the last few years of his life that he saw many
things differently from the way he once did.
I know some of what mattered most to him, he wrote about in his Footprints in the Sand Prayer journal.
-3-
What’s Up and Coming
Kevin and I have been getting our place in order and even doing some more
decorating (I feel rather ridiculous saying that considering one of my sister’s
has a perfectly decorated house that could be in magazines, but at least we’re making
some effort.) We’ve been inspired to
make a Rochester, New York wall, since that’s where Kevin and I first met,
where we became good friends, spent lots of time together over the years, and
where we return to each summer for some time on the Lake. The first thing on the wall is a framed chart
of Lake Ontario. The next thing we’ll
likely put up are a select
sampling of the bazillion photos I’ve taken of
sunsets, Ontario Beach Park, and some of our other favorite hang-outs. We’re waiting to get back the cross-stitch I
gave Kevin at our wedding reception and make that another focal point of the
wall.
-4-
Free Giveaway I have some really special
friends who have such unusual experiences which make for absolutely hilarious
stories. This week my friend Michele stopped by and told me a great one. She’s been getting rid of, giving away,
selling, donating…most of her earthly possessions in anticipation of entering a cloistered monastery this August 6, but she was a little too hasty in one of
her giveaways. She made herself dinner
one evening, opened the cupboard and realized she’d given away the only two
plates she owned to a neighbor who liked them.
She bashfully knocked on the friend’s door and told her the dilemma,
which made for a great laugh all around.
Michele, I'm really going to miss you popping over to say hi, share a funny story, have a deep discussion, watch a great movie, take a nap, have some juice, a meal or a snack, you know, whatever you feel like when upon entering our place. :)
-5-
Is it naptime, yet? Thursday
was one of those long, very trying days taking care of three little girls who
have been acting crankier, more tired, and volatile than is normal for them due
to a number of factors ranging from developmental milestones, to interrupted
sleep, teething, and varying calorie consumption. Lord, thanks for being
patient, gentle, and loving with all of us even when we're grumpy and
attitudinal to You!
-6-
The Paper Bag Princess This week I brought
over a bunch of paper bags I could use to organize and sort things (I learned
this method from my mom who used to have dozens of paper bags from the local
grocery store in closets and in the attic as her ‘filing system.’)
-7-
Bring Others
Closer I wonder what my “last lecture” would include,
what main themes and messages from my life I’d insist on having in it. Perhaps, that’s one of the reasons why I felt
this was the right time to read The Last Lecture: I’d like to sit down sooner than later
and figure out what’s most important and live in a way that’s evident in my
relationships, work, how I spend my time and money.
For me, discerning
God’s will, carrying it out, glorifying Him, and bringing others closer to Him
are what I want and try to build my life around. One of the main prayers I have prayed over
the years, I was inspired to write a while back: “Lord, please plant Your will
in my heart and make it my deepest desire and most fervent longing,” along
with: You, Lord, are ALL I have and You give me ALL I need. My future is in Your Hands. Lord, I pray for Your Will.
Since we don’t
always know when we’ll give our “last lecture,” we’re best off living today in
a way that would embody the legacy we hope to leave for our loved ones and the
generations to come.
Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7
Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.
