I wrote of "legacy" in last month's newsletter and it reminded me of an example in my own family of the glowing legacy my father lived and left us as his gift.
Dad in a nutshell: avidly independent, strong work ethic, unconditionally loving, very kind, non- judgmental of the everyday person, VERY judgmental of politicians, voracious reader, a disciplinarian, very physical and incredibly proud of his kids (even when we did things that would make any parent want to divorce their kid!). No, he was not a saint, but in all the important traits as a loving spirit, he excelled.
At the age of 65, Dad decided to pursue a life-long goal. To ride a bicycle across Canada from the Pacific to the Atlantic. And so, armed with only a pup tent, a few bicycle maintenance tools (including WD-40 which he swore was the best cure for the hemorrhoids!) and very few articles in his panniers he set off from Victoria BC and pedaled for the next four months until he reached St. John, Newfoundland. He slept in the tent, in hostels, was invited into private homes, he enduring some horrendous weather, he got sick, he got well. He struck up conversations with anyone with an ear, he smelled all the roses along the way. The regular truckers on the Trans Canada route got to know him and would look for him wearing his red and white "Cross Canada Grandpa" jacket and would honk and wave to him and inform other truckers as to where he was on their CD radios.
Now if you think that was an accomplishment, we ain't done yet! A senior's centre had been built in our city (the Schubert Centre) and needed help to pay down the mortgage. At the age of 70, Dad decided to do a fund drive by taking pledges per mile and once again boarded the bike and this time rode from our city of Vernon in southern BC all the way to Whitehorse, Yukon AND BACK. He was about 2 weeks into his ride when the came down with the flu and had to take a bus back home.
Was he daunted? No siree. A local car dealership donated a camperized van, Mum took the wheel and she drove the van while Dad biked. Each night he had a warm, dry place to sleep, cooked food and the company of his wife. If you have ever driven the Alaska Highway, you know how desolate the area is! Mum kept a detailed diary of the whole trip and he was welcomed and treated as a celebrity in Whitehorse as he was when he reached home again.
A lot of money was raised, the mortgage paid down and, many years later, his picture is still found on the wall behind the front desk of that senior's centre. I could regale you with so many, many stories of his trips, but that would be fodder for an entire book.
So why do I tell you this story? It's about Dad's legacy. For one thing, he was an example of We Are Never "Too Old" to do something new or accomplish a heart's desire. How many times do I hear people say they are too old! For another he taught with his actions, that the strength of a person is in their heart and their spirit, not in their body. And lastly, to have fun and enjoy each day on the "road" to your goal. It is not a chore. He really did enjoy his "journey" more than his "destination".
(c)Copyright Lynn Moore 2006
Lynn Moore is a Life Coach specializing in Personal Empowerment. Especially for those struggling with work/life balance. As she wears the hats of woman, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, sister and Life Coach (among many other "headdresses"), she provides "A Gentle, Consistent Toe to the Tush inspiring you to create change." You can access much more information/inspiration by visiting her Angel in Army Boots website at http://www.CoachAngelBoots.com.