16 hours ago
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Legacy. It’s a word I never fully comprehended until today. Sure, I’ve known the definition, at least loosely. I’ve used the word to compliment people, particularly older folks who have admirable character qualities, like my grandparents. And at introspective times, I’ve even considered what sort of legacy I’ll leave behind.
But I never really “got it” until today at my grandma’s memorial service.
As I sat and listened to testimonials, I noticed something odd. These people were not describing my grandmother, they were describing my mother. From her faith, uncanny hospitality, graciousness, birthday dinners of our chosen favorites, care for others, and inclusion of her children-in-law as her own, to her generosity, incredible friendship, notes of encouragement, emphasis on family, unconditional love for people, and even right down to her special birthday lamb cakes, they were eulogizing my own very-much-alive mother.
Sitting there at my grandma’s funeral, several things hit me for the first time. First, and most obviously, I was surprised at the striking similarities between the two women. There are so many parallels, it’s almost uncanny. Second, I became deeply appreciative to my grandma for her influence on my mom. While I’ve long loved so many things central to my mother’s character, I had never really realized the root of those things. And that root is in my grandma. I don’t think I have ever appreciated her as much or in the way I do today. Third, I realized anew the influence we may have on others, particularly in our intimate relationships. It can be amazingly beneficial, as it was in this case, or a lost opportunity. It’s a sobering realization and one that I hope affects me with conviction in the future. And fourth, I realized the true essence of a legacy.
Legacy is not the stamp you leave on the world. It’s not the investments you made, the inheritance you leave behind, or how acutely you’re remembered. It’s not even characterized by good things like new inventions, novel ways of interpreting the world, or charitable donations. It’s not trophies, or accomplishments, or medals.
Your legacy is how you’ve affected others’ lives.
So grandma, thank you. Your full character has greatly affected me, not only in how you’ve influenced my mom, but also in how you’ve impacted me, instilling virtues of faith, family, love, friendship, charity, and compassion. You left a beautiful legacy.
5 days ago
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I can't say it better, so here's a convicting and moving excerpt from John Piper's message at the 2008 T4G conference (catch the MP3s if you get a chance):
My desire and my prayer for you is that your life and your ministry will have a radical flavor. And I say this for the glory of Christ - the world is not going to glorify Christ because they see that Christians are wealthy and healthy and prosperous.
Very simple reason why - that's what they live for! So you use Jesus to get it? They use other means to get it. They're not impressed. Jesus is the ticket. When the show starts, you throw the ticket away. They don't need your ticket - they're not impressed. I'm saying what I'm saying because I want them to be impressed. They're not impressed with us - prosperous, wealthy, safe, middle-class, do-what-everybody-else-does people. Don't build a church like that! Don't go there - don't spend your life like that. It will be wasted. You will have lived it.
My desire in prayer for you is that your life has a radical flavor. Some extraordinary love - something risky - some crazy sacrifice that nobody can understand, including mom - something salty and bright.
103 days ago
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- San Francisco has A LOT of amazing food options and vegan/vegetarian/organic-only eaters.
- I still despise uncooked onions, laundry, ironing, cooking for myself alone, and cold rain.
- Chips and salsa can indeed comprise a fulfilling dinner.
- There’s nothing to make me appreciate what I have more poignantly than to not have it.
- Being “fashionable” is a lost cause for me – especially here.
- There are some amazing people who I would have previously written off because they are “fashionable”.
- I desperately need love, people (you), and Jesus.
- Public transportation and recycling are gratifying, frustrating, and anomalous.
- The quickest thing to bring a tear to my eye (still) is seeing a picture of my nephew and realizing that I’m missing watching him grow up. He’s crawling now.
- I’m thankful for the new experience and its valuable lessons. For real.
152 days ago
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It’s funny how quickly things change. Life is going along as expected and then BAM – next thing you know, you have interviewed close to 10 times with a single company (including phone and on-location), been offered a job, accepted it, and decided to move to San Francisco the next month. I’m sure you can relate. And even if you can’t, such is the case for me.
Come Christmas, I’ll be finished with my enjoyable tenure at SUPERVALU (it’s still annoying to write it in all caps), and less than two weeks away from starting at Fluid, working for a great company with some truly stellar folk, including my good friend, Cody. I wasn’t looking for a new position (this has been a great spot for me – and if you’re interested, there’s a great spot here), or even to move, but the position came up and I just couldn’t refuse the opportunity. Amazingly, the job is one where I have the option to work remotely (telecommute), but I thought the San Francisco urban experience would be good for me personally and professionally, so I decided to leave the comfort of Boise and venture out.
How am I feeling about it?
Scared, Sad, & Thankful. I find it interesting how much this change has yielded true appreciation for the things and people I have here. I’ve been given so much through God and others. There is much to love and miss in this place, and probably some regret, or at least a valuable lesson, to be had for not cherishing that more. I have such an amazing support system here – so much overflowing love. Plus, Idaho just rocks – let’s just say you don’t need a permit and a 3-month waiting list to go camping.
Excited. Much lies on the horizon and I trust that it will result in all sorts of growth. I look forward to learning more about myself, my chosen profession, my faith, and the world. From what I hear, an urban experience provides a unique perspective on lots of things. Plus, San Francisco seems to be quite the city. It’s beautiful, has the ocean right there, contains a billion and one things to do, and has things that Boise lacks, like ethnic diversity, human diversity, usable public transportation, and more than a couple good choices for Thai food.
Rushed. Amazingly (if things go according to plan), I’ll already be living and working in San Francisco this time next month. Wow. From accepting the offer to a completely new situation in less than a month. Needless to say, there’s LOTS to do before then, particularly given the holidays and a short family vacation at the end of this month. The list is large, but I thought I’d start to compile and categorize it here. That way if I miss anything major, you can let me know.
Uniquely Boise or Idaho
- Eat a veggie bagel sandwich at Blue Sky Bagels
- Throw a snowball (not too many opportunities for that in CA)
- Talk to my renters
- Take some pictures
- Get Bangkok Thai’s warm purple sticky rice, cold coconut ice cream, and cashew dessert
- Go to a free, in-the-mountains-of-Idaho hot springs
- Finish Into the Wild (and return it to the Boise Public Library)
Transportation
- Get the Jeep ready to roll (hello, mechanic)
- Change my motorcycle’s oil
- Purchase motorcycle hitch carrier
- Decide between taking the road and mountain bikes (just heard today that there’s a Napa Valley mountain bike trail…)
- Figure out how to best pack the bicycle
- Store or give away all the stuff I’m not taking
- Pack the Jeep
- Plan Boise-to-San Francisco road trip (Redwoods, perhaps?)
At Bay
- Research San Francisco churches
- Decide on roommates and an apartment in San Francisco
People, My Favorite
- Maximize time with immediate family
- Enjoy time with Idaho-based extended family
- Take my grandparents out for dinner
- Spend good time with friends
- Express my love to those close to me
- Pour one for me, one for my homies
- Say my goodbyes
- Shed a tear, perhaps two
And Finally…
- Start life in a new place
Keep me in your prayers. If you’ve read through this, chances are that I love and appreciate you very much – I hope to see you soon. Meanwhile, I guess I’ll have to start doing a better job of keeping this place up-to-date.
208 days ago
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Sorry about that – must have been one of those days. I really want to delete it…
UPDATE: it’s now deleted. There was no reason for that. Please forgive my presentation of a sinful, degrading attitude as “humor”. END UPDATE
Anyway, this site needs a major redo. It’s my first CSS layout and needs some serious updating. Now just to get on it. If you have any ideas for what should be here, let me know.
I guess that’s all I had to say. I just couldn’t bear that “other” post sitting on top any longer. Oh, and I’m in love with jQuery.
233 days ago
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I’m here at the 2007 Webmaster Jam Session and have enjoyed it so far. Cody and I flew down here together and are staying at Nathan and Olga Smith’s house.
I may write more later, but so far, Jared Spool’s presentation was awesome, Garrett Dimon’s was really, really excellent, Jeff Croft’s was great, and Jason Beaird’s was good.
It’s a much smaller venue than SXSW – which is nice – and so far, has been more informative. Good times are being had by all.
