THE LEGACY

The gifts that I cherish above all others are the legacies of moral integrity left behind by my ancestors. They did not leave a dowery of financial wealth, rather they left something far more valuable than that of earthly possessions.

Their examples of personal integrity, along with their willingness to sustain each other through their hardships, has been a strength to me my entire life. Their commitment toward excellence has reinforced my desire to endure and has given me the strength to withstand unbearable pressures, especially during difficult times.

Eva, my grandmother was widowed when she was a young mother and struggled to raise five children alone.  She worked full time to provide for her children and didn't retire until she was in her seventies. I remember watching her walk to and from work every day, through sun, rain, sleet, hail and snow. I never heard her complain about the trials in life, nor did she place blame for her heavy burdens. My grandmother held her head high and walked the strait and narrow all the days of her life.

She didn't work in an air conditioned office with insurance benefits or holiday pay, nor did she take a dime from the government. She didn't believe the government owed her a living and she certainly didn't have any expectations of getting something for nothing.  Her work ethics proceeded her and she proved a level of dignity that was beyond reproach. 

She never traveled the world, wore designer clothing or even owned a car. Yet, from her simple beginnings and throughout her life, I gained a tremendous sense of respect and self worth through her example. She taught me that the impossible was indeed possible, with a little elbow grease and a lot of determination.  

Eva made her own laundry soap, washed her clothes in an old wringer washer and hung them on the clothes lines to dry. She cooked everything from scratch, canned hundreds of bottles of fruits, juices, meats and vegetables. She learned to sew with perfection and crocheted beautifully. Each year she planted a large garden and always had a few chickens running around the yard. I remember watching her catch a chicken to prepare for Sunday dinner; a sight that is still fresh in my mind! She plucked every feather out by hand and her fried chicken tasted chicken lick'en good long before Cornell Sanders came into the picture. 

Times were extremely tough for our ancestors. Their sacrifices made our lives easier and perhaps to a certain downfall. When things are made too easy, it eliminates the desire to succeed. I pray that I can be an example to my posterity as my grandmother has been to me.  

My grandchildren deserve to experience the challenges of defeat. I want them to run a hard race, only to realize that someone else is better, faster and stronger! Defeat creates an insatiable desire to excel, along with the knowledge and humility that winning isn't everything.  

I don't want them to expect anything, rather they deserve to earn everything!  When they get their first job, I would like them to remember, "There are a hundred qualified people waiting to take their place" and to work hard to give an honest day.  Giving their very best is enough, but having a desire to do better is the ultimate goal.

May they refuse to believe that their country owes them a living, rather they believe that they owe a life of service and gratitude to their country. May they clearly understand the laws of compensation by:  working hard, playing less, giving more, loving endlessly, forgiving unconditionally and living to their fullest potential, with the desire to magnify the reason for their creation.

They are encouraged to: dance in the rain, sing in the shower, laugh out loud, cry when it hurts, trust the truth, pray with a passion, believe in miracles, live with enthusiasm, love without guile, be humbly honest, connect by caring, promote peace, reach out to others, have a purpose, develop genuine gratitude, silence the storms, keep their innocence and choose to assist in creating a world with endless possibilities. By Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.











Three of her children, William, Claudine (my mother) and Dora.