Little did I know I would be receiving an inheritance. Little did I know I would become so rich over the last couple months and be able to continue to pay it forward in as authentic a manner as I am discovering.
When my grandmother passed away a few weeks back, I, along with the rest of my family, lost something immensely impactful that we will never gain back. My grandmother was a woman of strong presence, of grand character and one who's heart and smile was bigger than it ever needed to be at any point. It was through these characteristics that she was able to raise 9 children (on her own for a large part of their upbringing) and instill these same values she lived into her 20+ grandchildren. Not only was family and family togetherness the number one thing on her mind, but the well being of the general community and her neighbors. She fed the homeless, fed the ducks at the local park, made friends with bus drivers and mail deliverers, and helped encourage community through her devout faith.
My grandmother was a servant of God. Since anyone can remember she was praying and was consistent in her actions of embodying a true christian. She embodied a spiritual person that never imposed it upon others and made her spirituality part of her every day actions. Her prerogative was simply to live life in a good way that would allow her to rest at the end of the day knowing that she herself had connected with God. She did. Every day.
It was through this manner that she was able to affect so much more than just herself and her lifestyle... She affected all that came across her. She was well loved, well respected and overall she was regarded in the community and in her family as a great individual. She created community and she did it without question. When she was around, family drew near. When she was at home, her neighbors came to visit. She brought people together with her warm energy and her good cooking. She taught kids the things she knew, which included anything from cooking, to crocheting, to praying, to whatver she learned that day. Always paying it forward.
It is this warm spirit and ability to create community and give back that I have taken as my inheritance. Some people get material goods as an inheritance. I prefer to have this energy and legacy of a woman as my inheritance. I will miss my grandma dearly... I already do.
