Leaving a mark that the world can't cover...

On this rainy Friday night at the Henderson's, our 'thought-tale' is focused on legacies and those that have left their evident marks on our lives.  At the beginning of the week, I heard a talk show person mention the upcoming birthday of C.S. Lewis, and how he would have been 115 years old next Friday the 29th.  He is one of my favorite authors, and I marveled that he was born so long ago.  His words are truly eternal and immortal. Many of his finest works are analytical essays, few in words but mighty in meaning.  A few days later in the week, another relatively short document turned 150 years old: The Gettysburg Address, written by another person who influenced the lives of millions with his words. Lincoln was wrong that the world would take little note of his words, wasn't he?  And today, will mark the 50th anniversary of the end of life for another man who left behind short sentences that have challenged the course of so many lives.  Those yet unborn will no doubt stop to pause and consider when they hear for the first time: 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'  Just a few words, written without consideration that they would be a legacy, but yet they have become one.  The power of the written word should never be diminished, and the spoken one never taken carelessly.  They may become our legacy one day.

So what does this say about our relatively new-found power given to us via the capacity and reach of the web?  

Every day, via social media and online browsing, I read words that both blow my mind and make me flinch for the human who wrote them.  Not only do I see people using this wonderful freedom to express thoughts that may never have been heard beautifully, but also some who splash the most inane and inappropriate thoughts in a media that is much stronger and enduring than stone.  Stone and paper are not searchable and kept on a database.  Think of it folks.  In 200 years, my Great Great Great Grandchildren might be reading my words electronically.  What will they know of my from my tweets, my posts, and my responses? 

 Sobering isn't it?

 As I read the book, "Killing Jesus," I saw that while the author was writing a historical telling of the life of Jesus, one could not help but be given an insight into the reason the few words spoken by Jesus have lasted and endured for so many generations.  Jesus didn't broadcast his message arbitrarily on the street corners, and he chose carefully those who would repeat his message after his departure. He planted the seeds of his legacy selectively.  I know many see the survival of Christianity as miraculous, but this history book showed me it was wisely well planned.  

It caused me to stop and think about how I spray my thoughts in this rapid-fire electronic age.

What I am inspired to hope for by the many great words of humans past,  is to leave a small crop of words creating a mark that will, in turn, inspire someone else.  They will not tell all of my stories, as the Gettysburg address doesn't tell the story of the Civil War's fight for freedom, but may they reflect some real part of who I tried to be.

So tonight, Chris and I will drink cocktails that each depicts a part of our heritage.  Chris will drink a good Whiskey in memory of his Grandfather, and I will drink a good Port in memory of mine.  Here's to those who have left a real mark on our lives that the scars of life can never cover.  CHEERS FRIENDS!
(Oh, and Grandkids, Gramma Joy truly wasn't a lush, although this blog might make it look that way)