A Legacy List

Today would have been my father’s 76th birthday. Because I knew this day was coming up on the calendar I have been thinking about his legacy to me.

Legacies, at least in my mind, are a very personal thing.

A legacy, as defined in the about 8 million different online dictionaries that I looked at, is

Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past.

My father left a lasting legacy, at least for me. I think if you asked all who knew him they would say that he was a larger than life person who lived life to the fullest. I would hope that when my time comes to go home to my savior that others will say the same of me.

I was going to write a wordy post (is there any other sort??) about my dad’s legacy but I think a list will do the job nicely. I have searched all over my blog posts thinking that I had already written out this list for you but I cannot find it. If I did and I posted it…..I blame the menopause brain.

* Christ is all.

* If you are going to do a job you need to do it to the best of your abilities. Don’t waste your time doing a half way job that will have to be redone because you didn’t do it right the first time around.

* Ice cream is always a good idea. Well, all except for that one time when he had the bright idea to have a scoop of Bubble Gum ice cream and a scoop of Black Licorice ice cream. That is the only time that I ever remember him NOT finishing an ice cream cone.

* When braking in your car, let up on the brake pedal just a bit as you come to a stop and you will never have a “herky jerky” stop.

* Organ music is the music of the angels. And if you throw in a bit of Bluegrass that is even better.

* You can never take too many pictures.

* A good glass of wine is an excellent thing.

* If I, as the Chief of the OBGYN department, have written orders on a patient. And you, as a lowly resident, have said to ignore MY orders and written your own…..it will not go well with you my son.

* Hard work is a good thing.

* If you need to, ask for help.

* Yes, we are stopping at this vacation spot. No, you may not stay in the car and read your book.

* There is no need to yell. Intimidation Expressing your displeasure with a quiet voice is MUCH more effective (ask the progeny).

* Take the time to put your tools, whatever they may be, back where you got them. That way you always know where they are.

* Think through the problem before acting on it.

*You can never have too many flashlights……or pens…..or combs…..or nail clippers…..or baseball caps….or tools….or books…or batteries.

*You can never have too many pads of paper.

*Think ahead. It will save your bacon later on.

* Do not stick your hand under a running lawn mower. The consequences can be….not so great…especially if you are a surgeon.

* A clean car interior is the sign of an organized mind. (I might have a problem there).

* There is no reason why you cannot take 4 showers a day…as long as each of those showers lasts no more that 4 minutes.

* Keep good records.

* Go the extra mile for others without expecting anything in return.

* Raccoons, opossums and groundhogs must be eradicated.

* It is not acceptable to chew Green Apple bubble gum in a closed car. And NO you may not blow bubbles with it.

* A well written letter (or email) of complaint can go a long way.

* Be careful when lighting the gas grill. Your eyebrows might suffer a “mighty singe” otherwise.

* Measure twice. Cut once.

* If I have asked you to do something, I expect that you will get up and do it now.

* All work and no relaxation makes for a very grumpy person.

* Do your research.

* Read a book. Expand your brain.

Thanks Dad for the legacy that you have left for me. I long for the day when I will see you again. Until then……

I think I will go and read a book.