We hear a lot about legacy these days. At this moment in history, here in America, we are talking about the legacy of Charlie Kirk. He will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His widow will continue his work. Every former president since Herbert Hoover has established a presidential library. There are currently 16. The purpose being to preserve their legacy. Creating a family tree is a popular hobby these days, to preserve your legacy. Andy Warhol famously said, everyone gets fifteen minutes of fame. I wonder, does everyone get a legacy?
Yes, I'd say we all get a legacy, the other thing different being, how long that legacy lasts. I've lived here in Greensboro for about thirty years now, I think, well aware I'm not a native. In the local cemetery there is a rather large mausoleum. It stands in stark contrast to any other memorial in that place. The name C.B. Jarman is chiseled above the dual brass entry doors. Mr. Jarman was a very successful businessman back in the day. What day was that? I don't know for certain as I haven't done any research on him. I have asked the "natives" and heard a few vague stories, tales mostly, about him. His legacy is apparently that mausoleum. I've quite certain during his lifetime he was respected, admired, and spoken of. If for no other reason than his wealth, power and influence in the community.
There are many names we are all familiar with in history. We know their legacy or believe we do. Generals, inventors, artists, musicians and heroes in general. Closer to home we have own ancestors, those that left a legacy. I have a number of items that belonged to my ancestors, some I actually knew and others were gone long before my arrival. I believe as long as I remember them, tell others about them, that is their legacy.
I realize that legacy is often viewed as what you left behind, property, wealth or whatever. I have those items of legacy, although I just call them artifacts. Artifacts are those things either made or modified by people. It is a slight distinction between an object that was manufactured and one handmade. I do have both, but clump them all together. But whatever the case may be they represent a legacy. I also have just "stories" an oral history of people and places. I often write about those things, sharing them with whoever wants to read them. Those are legacy as well. The legacy survives as long as the stories are read. We grow up knowing certain phrases, or sayings that were passed down. They usually apply to one of our ancestors, or perhaps a close family friend. Tell the story or use the phrase a certain individual immediately comes to mind. That's a legacy.
I don't think you get to create a legacy. That's not how that works. I believe your legacy must be created by others. Take the example of C.B.Jarman. Obviously a man of wealth, but virtually unknown here in Greensboro today except by those walking though the cemetery that see that imposing structure. Where are his descendants? Has his legacy faded into history? It certainly seems that way. He commissioned that mausoleum, I have heard the tale of it being delivered by railroad cars and assembled in its' present location. There is room for four inside. I'm told only he and his wife are interred there and the key to the doors have been lost over time. Those doors haven't been opened in many, many years. His legacy locked away.
I do make an attempt at curating legacy. Not my own, although I certainly don't want to be forgotten about, but the legacy I have inherited over the years. It's something I do in fits and starts. I do feel a sense of responsibility for that, although I find it difficult to create interest in that from others. I get it, when I was in my twenties and thirties I had little interest in old stuff. Today I'm looking around and realizing I'm getting to be among the last that can save that legacy. It's my feeling legacy lost can never be recovered. That's the responsibility I feel. It wasn't by choice I inherited these legacy items, but I can't dismiss them. Once I'm gone, I will have no further control. Who inherits the legacy? The answer is, the one who accepts the responsibility. Doesn't really matter what is written on a paper, legal or not, it is the acceptance of responsibility that counts.
Legacy lives here
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