Last weekend we laid my mother in-law, Connie Link, to rest in her final resting place. Connie wasn’t just my mother in-law; she is someone I had the privileged to be part of my life since childhood – she was my Junior High Health and Reading teacher. Being a teach for nearly 30 years, she touched the lives of many, many people. A lot of them were able to express their memories of how Connie impacted their life and shared them with us, through the modern convenience of Facebook in this pandemic new world. I must give a special shout out to my mother for collecting everyone’s comments and compiling them into the booklet she put together (yes, my mother reads my weekend writings every week). My wife, Heather, read some of the comments at the grave side service we held. Even as the rain fell (GREAT Ohio weather) I could hear some chuckles from under the umbrellas as Heather shared some of the memories and special descriptions former students had for Connie.
This past week also commemorated some historical events as well. April 15th, normally Americans’ Tax Day, also represents the day that the “unsinkable” Titanic (in 1912) went to the ocean floor. It is also the same day that Jackie Robinson played in his first Major League Baseball game for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1947).
These events over the past week got me thinking: How do we want to be remembered?
I doubt that when Jackie Robinson was a kid he ever thought “one day a large part of the country will think of baseball, the #42, and me”. For those who aren’t sports fans, 42 was Jackie’s number he wore for his 10-year baseball career. It is still honored throughout the sport to this day. As I was reading through the biography of Robinson (see link) and there is one point of interest I did not realize--while Jesse Owens was famously for showing up Hitler at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Robinson received the Silver Medal just behind Owens in the 200-meter dash! https://www.biography.com/
Of all the stories that can be shared from the sinking of the Titanic, do you know the story of Margaret Brown? Or maybe better know the story of “the unsinkable Molly Brown”? You can check out her achievements and life’s path here: https://www.biography.com/
As I reflect, we all are capable of providing a positive impact on someone else’s life, Connie Link did. She wasn’t a Major League baseball player breaking the color barrier, nor was she a wealthy socialite who survived a major tragedy. Her platform was the classroom and she was remembered for being tirelessly devoted to her students.
How will you be remembered? What is your platform? It doesn’t have to be on the national stage or in a classroom, but I believe we will all be known for something. After reflection, if we aren’t sure people will remember us as we hope they might, then we can adjust, pivot, and rededicate ourselves. If I can be of any assistance to you in these efforts, please reach out.
Please remember that we are “here” and available for you as well. If you have any questions or concerns, financial or otherwise, please do not hesitate to call or email. If you have friends, family, or neighbors you feel would benefit from a conversation with me, I’m more than happy to have a call or jump on a Zoom meeting with them.
As always, I hope that you are doing well, and staying safe & healthy!