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< January, 2005 >
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The Legacy of Last WordsA couple of years ago, he came to Hawaii and I spoke briefly with him. I told him that his daughter worked with my niece in California and that my niece was looking for a church. Living in Hawaii, I felt somewhat helpless about my niece. When this pastor returned home to California, he took his daughter and my niece to lunch, just to get to know her. That's the kind of guy he was. Also this week, a couple of days after his death, was his son's birthday. This father had planned a birthday surprise for his son and was going to take him to a professional basketball game. He was also going to surprise him with a special, personalized "Happy Birthday" greeting to be displayed on the scoreboard. This week, despite the overwhelming grief and shock, his son went to that game, for only one reason. He said he wanted to read the last message he would ever read from his father. As a writer and a parent, I am deeply moved by this father's legacy. He left a legacy of care, compassion, and of taking time for his family and friends. But he also left a legacy of a simple birthday greeting that became the last words of his life that anyone would ever read. Sometimes, I get a nudge in my heart to drop someone a note, an email, or a birthday greeting. I wish I could say that I respond to every nudge. Because of this one man's legacy, however, I will be more attentive to those nudges. Also, I am pondering my own legacy, my own words, and what my kids and friends will remember most about me. Who knows, it could be something as simple as, "Happy Birthday."
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Contributed by Glenn Howard White Jr. |
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