How many names are really remembered even though they leave behind buildings with their name on it. I see the name on these buildings when I pass them but I don't know the family and don't recognize the name. So, how is that really a legacy?
My father left behind three children, but I am the only one who carries his name. My sister married then remarried so she is twice removed from our father's name. My brother has a different first name (obviously) and when he puts our last name on the face of a building, how many people passing by who see that name will think of me? None.
The journey my father took to get his name on that building will soon be forgotten as will the journey of the son who put his name there as a result of a financial donation. My brother's grandchildren will be the last who are told about our father's journey... and, soon that journey will be forgotten.
My journey will be remembered by no one as will your journey as we accomplished very little other than make the journey ourselves. If this is the case with most journey then why have the journey at all?
Remembering is done by only those who were influenced or interacted with one's journey... and, oftentimes, no remembering takes place at all... and when the wife of the one who made the journey dies, then the spouse's journey dies with them. Who will look at the leftover photos? Who will care?
Most of us will have this kind of journey, so it is not the end result of the journey that matters, but the journey itself. How did the journey influence you or how did you influence the journey? Those images, recollections, and memories will be the last of life that flashes by just before you die. A recap of your journey, the good as well as the bad.
Our journey was unique and special and no one else will have the same journey as we had... that makes us more unique than having our name put on a building that soon people will not remember who or what put it there.
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