“Love leaves a legacy. How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth.”
Rick Warren
I’ve been decluttering and minimizing my home for about two years now. Maybe it shouldn’t be taking this long, but everybody processes things at their own pace, so I’m not too worried about it. I finally worked up the courage to tackle some of my sentimental items this past week. I had several tubs and containers spread around the house and even in the garage that belong solely to me. Yikes! I gathered it all together and started pulling stuff out.
I was thrilled to see some items, and others left me wondering, “Hmmm, why do I still have these?” My Precious Moments collection fills 1.5 tubs alone, and quite frankly, I didn’t know how I’d feel about them after so many years.
My grandma gifted me nearly 30 Precious Moments figurines over many, many years. If there was a special occasion, there was also a Precious Moments figurine. Christmas, Easter, graduation, wedding, etc. They used to line a shelf in my bedroom, and I can remember how excited I was when my dad added a shelf to accommodate my growing collection.
I hated cleaning growing up. Oh, who am I kidding? I still hate cleaning. Cleaning my Precious Moments, though, was more of an experience than a chore. Each held significance, and I handled them with the utmost care.
Unfortunately, they hadn’t seen the light of day in years. Sad, but true. I knew it would take time to unbox them but now seemed like the perfect time. I was overcome with emotion as I once again handled each figurine. Memories of time spent with Grandma Albanito filled my mind and heart in such a special way.
I was so thrilled to see these and other memorable items, that I sent a short video to my family. It was then that my dad reminded me that my grandma had passed away exactly 20 years ago that very day.
At first, I was shocked (how could I forget?), but then I thought about the power of love. Love lasts long after our memories begin to fade. My grandma showered our family with love in unique and varied ways, year after year. And that love will last forever, no matter how much time passes.
We don’t have to leave someone with a collection of items to express our love either. A warm smile, an encouraging word, quality time spent together, or a great big bear hug will all do the trick just the same. Collect all these precious moments poured out from a sincere heart, and that is how we, too, can leave a legacy of love.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Grandma. I love you…