MY LEGACY

it is what I inherited,
from those who came
before me.
I had no control,
nor did you of the legacy
we inherited.
We do, however,
have control
over the legacy
we leave behind.

We can think about
what we want them
to inherit
and put in place
a better legacy
than the one
we inherited.

We can envision
a legacy of dignity,
respect,
peace,
and institutionalized
respect for all humanity

We can leave behind
a new metoomovement
that is about those committed to
a legacy of unconditional love,
a legacy of celebrating uniqueness,
a legacy of positive alliances, and
a legacy of the tapestry of humanity

MEALTIME MEMORIES

Usually when we talk about creating mealtime memories, it is about in the present to carry us forward. However, for me this last week I have been mindful of the memories I carry with me from friends and family members who have passed away. My mother, for example, was not the best of cooks, but she was an amazing baker and the smell of cinnamon reminds me of her rugelach and I can feel her presence with me whenever I make them. Sometimes I wake up and I can smell them baking in the oven even though there is nothing there.

Every year on her birthday, my friend Laura would ask me to make my lasagna and orange brownies. That is all she ever wanted for her birthday. I can not make either of those dishes without thinking about her and my heart is filled with memories of our time together and the love I still hold for her. I also remember the look on her face as she savored every bite and had this glow of glee when I told her I would pack up the leftovers for her to bring home. I know she savored those leftovers and waited in anticipation for her next birthday. It was the last meal I made for her before she died. I am so grateful for the joy it bought her during a dark time in her life.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

EVERY DAY WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE LEGACY WE LEAVE BEHIND. MAKE SURE PART OF YOUR LEGACY IS ENTHUSIASM.

HONORING MY ANCESTERS

I remember when I was pastoring how once a month we would pour libations. When I water the plants, which I should do more often, I think about my parents and many of their relatives who went before them. I also think about my foster parents and my birth parents, who I have no memories of and honor them.

Initially, I thought this was an African spiritual tradition. Then I became aware of how it was also a Native American tradition. Recently, I became aware this is also a part of Shin Buddhism and is known as the Pure Land Tradition. According to Taitetsu Unno this tradition emphasizes awakening to "the Name-that-calls" and recognizing the boundless compassion that sustains and connects all of life. Some of this message is conveyed in the following poem by Mitsu Aida.

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