Leaving a Legacy of Love

A conversation with Papa on Mummy's birthday

Family
a bond solid
a love enduring
a care true
leaves a legacy lasting

This past weekend, all four of my children, two granddaughters, and grand dog all got together in New York City. Being young parents, each with very busy and challenging jobs, their presence took intentionality and effort. I am truly grateful and happy that they found the time to get together as a family. The pictures they shared of their time together, continue to bring me joy. Papa and I have watched them over and again with appreciation and gratitude.

Almost two decades ago, the Indian Bollywood film Hum Saath-Saath Hain (translated means we are together) was released. The storyline shares the journey of a family with its many challenges, joys, successes, failures, beliefs, traditions, rituals, shared sorrows, and suffering—all highlighting the value of a family. As we watched the movie, it was not unusual for us to get emotional and tears to fill our eyes (especially Papa).  His desire, and invitation to us, was always for the family to be together, in spite of any challenge that may arise. Mummy shared the same.

Both my parents and grandparents modeled the same. I have tried to make this invitation part of my family, parenthood and legacy. The very fact that we are living means we are going to leave a legacy. I think the important part to remember is that we have a choice in what kind of legacy we want to leave.  True, our circumstances may influence this choice; however, our intentions matter. Growing older, I am even more aware of the importance, need, and value of both family and legacy.

Many years ago, my young daughter reminded me, “Mummy family is more than blood!”

Indeed, family is love, support, and understanding. I am grateful for my family—both by blood and through trustworthy relationships—grateful for keeping me grounded, keeping me true and authentic, for their unconditional nurturing and emotional support, the continued teachings, the care and compassion, their reminder of who I am, and for giving me a sense of identity and belonging.

Leaving a legacy is an act of gratitude, an act of creating something meaningful. As I reflect on my life, I am immensely grateful to so many that have helped me in this journey of growing and understanding in many ways.

I remember a conversation with my mother regarding family and legacy in August 2020 on her 80th birthday. We recorded her thoughts that year as we could not get together as a family due to the COVID-19 lockdown. We revisited and continued this conversation in November 2020 with both my Mummy and Papa on their 60th anniversary.

In remembrance and in honor of Mummy’s birthday on August 3^rd, Papa and I had another conversation about the same in this video below. Enjoy! Blessings to you and your family.

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As 2023 unfolds, how do you tend to well-being, community and resilience? I will post reflections on these themes and invite you to join in the conversation here or on Twitter or Instagram with your thoughts or what you are doing for self-care and care of others. My book explores such ideas too: Resilient Threads: Weaving Joy and Meaning into Well-Being.