Journal Entry #2: "What Will You Leave Behind?"

Journal Entry #2: "What Will You Leave Behind?"

Why wait? It’s time to think about what you will leave behind after your time on the "third" rock from the sun is finished. Some people manage to leave a great deal of wealth or a legacy of public service. Others are long remembered for their monumental works of art. A lucky few are long cherished by adoring family and friends. How do you want to be remembered? What will be your reason for being?

I’ve never really thought about what I will leave behind after I die. I’m not entirely sure. There are so many people who have left things behind for which they are remembered. People who have been dead for decades, even centuries, are still studied today for their actions. Personally, I don’t think I will be one of those people. Maybe I’m a little pessimistic, but I don’t know too many people who still have that childhood ambition to be a movie star, or an astronaut. We have all adopted more attainable futures.

That being said, I think I will still be able to leave something behind for which I will be remembered. As it stands now, I would like to be a teacher when I’m older. This may be because my dad is a teacher at Westlane, and my grandfather was a teacher. I’m sure you could name many, if not all of your old teachers, some good, some bad. The point is, you remember them. I would like to be remembered as a good teacher. I have seen a lot of my dad’s former students from years before see him in public, say hi and talk about how great his classes were, and what they’re doing now. I was even out for a coffee the other day and ran into one of his students from last year, talking about how she loved his class, and what a great teacher he was. I would love to be remembered like that. And though my dad is years away from retiring, let alone dying, I doubt that he will be forgotten by these students.

There are other things I would love to be remembered for, such as writing a book. I love writing, and I think it would be great if I was ever able to write a really memorable novel. The problem with that is: how many authors are actually remembered? I know J. R. R. Tolkien, and of course ancient authors such as Homer, but I know few others by name, I only know their books. So I really can’t see this happening.

On a less pessimistic note, in the future I plan on getting married and starting a family. I hope I can be a great parent, grandparent, husband, uncle, and whatever else you can think of. I want to be able to live a happy life, and keep those around me happy. This, along with being remembered in my profession, is what I hope to do.

I may not be able to be that astronaut, or that movie star. I may not be able to write that memorable novel. However, that doesn’t bother me. I want to be remembered as a great person, who made a difference in the lives of those around me. I can’t think of anything more rewarding.