So That Our Values Live On

We create a legacy from the moment we are born
Our impact on the people around us starts right then.
We bring something special with us into this world
and share it with all those whose lives we touch.

The memories and stories become part of our heritage
How they are told reflects the values of the family-
or at least the story teller.

As we move through each decade of our lives,
we clarify and cultivate that which is important to us-
and new stories emerge
which reflect those emerging values.

Soon, many of us find partners
and alas must negotiate how the values get merged
Partners in work, partners in life.

Then comes the big test
recycling our values
as we help shape those of another generation.
Our impact is great at this point.
The test of what we really believe begins.

Then our offspring bring challenges
which test our values, our faith
and we must allow them to cultivate their own sense of identity,
their own values.

And if we are lucky,
if we have had the integrity to live our values
if we live long enough to see our children truly mature
then we may have the opportunity to find that we share values
with a second or even a third generation after us.
and see the legacy live on.

                     - Poem by Leslie Dashew
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