5 days 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.
107 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.
156 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.
212 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.
437 days ago
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Only 88 days since my last post? Psh – child’s play. I’m still 2 days away from 3 months. And despite the widespread rumors and national media, I haven’t (yet) completely abandoned this site or sold it (for an amazing profit) on eBay. Life just gets busy. Or some other hackneyed excuse.
Much has happened since that last post. Perhaps the biggest change is that I stopped working at The Idaho Statesman and started at Albertson’s, or if you prefer, SUPERVALU (but man, that entirely upper-case name is annoying). I’m now working with the highly talented Cody Lindley, Hugh Griffith, and Dan Bachman. The team does great work and I am thankful to be a part of it. The Statesman was a good place to be, and I couldn’t have asked for more from my first job – I learned a lot and made some great friends – but it was time for me to move on to new things. I wish The Statesman nothing but the best!
In other news, I’ve started to train for another triathlon. If you’re interested, you can track my progress (and that of the guys I’m training with) over at Aimed Discipline (in the athletes section). We’re training for the Spudman triathlon on June 9th. Now just to keep at it…
I also have a list of goals. I’ve had this list for a good many months now, but the point is that I just crossed-off another item:
Read a book in a reasonable amount of time
I have the bad habit of starting, but not finishing books. But not this time. Despite several tries in the last couple months, it took me until last night to nail it. The book that held me? The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis. It’s an allegory of heaven and hell – and very well worth the read. Lewis does an incredible job of conveying the infinite – you won’t be disappointed.
So there it is, the official update. I’ll catch you soon. ;)
525 days ago
| [3]
It seems that a day or two (or…80) have passed since I last posted. I’m not sure exactly why that is, but I think it has something to do with my life situation constantly changing. That, combined with not always knowing my audience or what should be broadcast to the Internet and preserved in the annals of history forever, and I’ve been right absent.
But you will (hopefully) be happy to read that I am doing quite well! Amazingly, God has continued to provide good things in my life, from family to new and old friends to perspectives to church(es) to experiences. I feel like I have grown more in the last 6 months than in the 6 years prior. And it’s all a result of God’s good character reflected on my life.
So with that, here’s a parting thought – and something I’m starting to understand better – the joy is in the journey. Staying wholly focused on specific future events and goals (be it the coming weekend, an upcoming promotion, a future trip, or a goal you’ve set for yourself) can really suck the beauty and joy out of this moment. So look forward to things, but also slow the pace a bit and enjoy this next step – there’s joy to be found here.
