”Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.”
~ Elizabeth Frye
This poem
paints a picture of what I hope will be my legacy to the future.
I believe
that I will be this kind of ancestor . . .
one that is barely there,
but part of the mystical, ephemeral universe
that exists within the physical world,
or maybe without.
My essence will dissolve
and permeate the fabric of the great Creation
of Life beyond our wildest dreams,
and I hope that essence will release atoms and molecules
of peace, harmony
and all of the good that I wanted for the world when I was here.
I hope that the breeze that touches a future cheek
brings calm and contentment that touches that future heart,
without even knowing where it came from . . .
I hope that the gentle autumn rain,
the sun shining on the grain
and the birds flushed out with morning’s light
all hold a part of me
that touches the future. ♥
I have a bit of a difficulty with such questions, as i never thought about how i want to be remembered. Who should remember me for longer than a breath after i will be gone? I never had the longing to be remembered: no pro, no against: as someone who did her best to make life a bit easier for others, .who tried to help them onward in one or other way; with joy and gratefulness, passing forward what has been offered to me also to find back to living with joy in my heart; may be life´s wisdom and some inner truths. i am only enormously tired right now, will check tomorrow and possibly alter some of it. May you all have a refreshing sleep tonight.
I will leave nothing for the future except my bit of impact on the universe. I am certain that I won’t be remembered but the universe will be different because I was here.
I’m hoping to be known as ancestor that was non-judgmental, known for adding spontaneous humor via comments. As an auntie, I’m hoping to be remembered as one who was supportive of my nieces and nephews journeys. I know I’ll be known as the story teller of the past family members experiences. To others perhaps I’ll be remembered as a listener and a supportive person to their path as we trudged together being spiritual pilgrims. And I’m realistic, that I too will be forgotten as new generations come forward. Gentle thoughts to all this Thursday. ☮️
I want to be the kind of ancestor that is willing to grow in self awareness. And I agree with today’s quote from Desmond Tutu,” My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” Thank you all for being here and helping me to grow in willingness. All of humanity is my ancestor.
”We must never presume that we see “all” or accurately. We must always be ready to see anew.”
If we ever feel like we’ve arrived or are ‘done’
we haven’t even started.
I too,
try to keep a flexible mind
and an open heart,
dear Carol Ann . . .
one of the first things I learned,
and it has turned out to be a good foundation. ♥
Im pretty mediocre. Im ok with that. Ill probably be the ancestor responsible for the crazy unruly hair. Ive not participated in any momentous life changing events nor can I have a financial impact on anyone. Hopefully im not the ancestor that lived under a bridge or in a van by the river. 🙃😊 How Im remembered is based purely on the perspective. I have 2 sons- 1 will remember me as strong, hardworking, supportive and brave and imperfect. The other will remember me with bitterness as unsupportive > same woman >same life. So what my descendants think of me doesn’t concern me. Today will be a wonderful day. ✨️
I want to be remembered as smart & wise, very curious, kind & compassionate, a good sense of humor, resilient & strong & enlightened. ✨
I tried my best to make the world better. ♥️
Please pray for my safety today as I am flying to Phoenix. Appreciate your prayers. Thank you kindly. 🙏🏻
🕊️♥️
It’s not something I’ve ever thought about. Since I don’t have kids, my genes end here. As for being remembered in general, I’m definitely not worried about future generations remembering me. In the last few thousand years, I think humans have been far too interested in being remembered. At our own peril. Monuments are built, wars are fought, and we forget or become disinterested and move on.
Now, being remembered by the friends and family I leave behind, I would like to be remember as someone who tried to be kind, made people
laugh, worked hard, overcame some obstacles, and generally had a positive impact on those around me.
Charlie, I’m betting you do have sons and daughters. Maybe not genetic but my guess is that you are a teacher and a confident for many who have crossed your path. Also, I think of how you speak of your cat (or is it cats) and your appreciation for Mother Nature. As today’s quote says, …our humanity is bound up in others…for me that is all of Creation.
One who was a human being, not an Artificial Intelligence model; One who was imperfect, but REAL. May everyone have a wonderful day filled with peace and love. 💕
My Ngoc, even as an HI, I can imagine how boring life would be living like an AI. I’m already close to that, but it’s still a huge difference. We’re programmed to need each other.
I appreciate seeing a question I haven’t seen before. Often, the questions are reused or tweaked. My father thinks a lot about his legacy, and when I can break through the dementia we talk about the the fiscal stability he is leaving. He gets excited about sending my girls to college. I want to leave a legacy of joy, spirituality, and postive action. I want to be like my father, he built hundreds of homes with Habitat for Humanity. My father mentored at-risk young men and children who lost their parents. Right now I am family and career-centered. But, I want to avoid being myopic and only thinking of mine. As my father moves into the last stage of his life I am inspired to be the type of ancestor he is becoming.
I can feel the love you have for your father Avril. ♥️ He is blessed to have you in his life. Your reflection is beautiful.
Bless you & your dad. Peace to you All.
🕊️♥️
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. When I felt helpless during my husband’s illness, a minister offered the title, you are in the ministry of presence. That may be helpful to you also.
One who passes on strength, resilience, and happiness. One who worked through all of her trauma and all of the trauma unconsciously passed on to her so that no one else would have to carry it. One who reminds others that we are all connected, we all come from the same Source, and everyone should be treated as the Divine being that they are.
Patti, Like you I firmly believe that any healing I experience will be experienced by those who came before and those who come after me. Creation is One.
Ngoc and I don’t plan on having children of our own. As for being an ancestor, I want to be one where future generations remember me as someone who lived a peaceful and laid back lifestyle like I’m living now.
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”Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.”
~ Elizabeth Frye
This poem
paints a picture of what I hope will be my legacy to the future.
I believe
that I will be this kind of ancestor . . .
one that is barely there,
but part of the mystical, ephemeral universe
that exists within the physical world,
or maybe without.
My essence will dissolve
and permeate the fabric of the great Creation
of Life beyond our wildest dreams,
and I hope that essence will release atoms and molecules
of peace, harmony
and all of the good that I wanted for the world when I was here.
I hope that the breeze that touches a future cheek
brings calm and contentment that touches that future heart,
without even knowing where it came from . . .
I hope that the gentle autumn rain,
the sun shining on the grain
and the birds flushed out with morning’s light
all hold a part of me
that touches the future. ♥
Sparrow – we read that poem at my Mom’s funeral – thank you for posting that and making my heart swell.
I love this poem as well,
dear Michele . . . ♥
so touching and sensitive, dear Sparrow. . Blessings, an a huge Thank you, dear friend.
Namaste,
dear Ose . . . ♥
I have a bit of a difficulty with such questions, as i never thought about how i want to be remembered. Who should remember me for longer than a breath after i will be gone? I never had the longing to be remembered: no pro, no against: as someone who did her best to make life a bit easier for others, .who tried to help them onward in one or other way; with joy and gratefulness, passing forward what has been offered to me also to find back to living with joy in my heart; may be life´s wisdom and some inner truths. i am only enormously tired right now, will check tomorrow and possibly alter some of it. May you all have a refreshing sleep tonight.
Great point, Ose. When we die, everything goes with us. We’re not going to know how others remember us.
if one is an organ and tissue donor those go on to someone else and then they will remember you as a giving loving person 🙂
I hope to be known as a very supportive Mother, family member and friend. One that is known for her kindnesses and empathy for the needy.
I will leave nothing for the future except my bit of impact on the universe. I am certain that I won’t be remembered but the universe will be different because I was here.
I believe this as well,
dear Richard. ♥
I’m hoping to be known as ancestor that was non-judgmental, known for adding spontaneous humor via comments. As an auntie, I’m hoping to be remembered as one who was supportive of my nieces and nephews journeys. I know I’ll be known as the story teller of the past family members experiences. To others perhaps I’ll be remembered as a listener and a supportive person to their path as we trudged together being spiritual pilgrims. And I’m realistic, that I too will be forgotten as new generations come forward. Gentle thoughts to all this Thursday. ☮️
I want to be the kind of ancestor that is willing to grow in self awareness. And I agree with today’s quote from Desmond Tutu,” My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” Thank you all for being here and helping me to grow in willingness. All of humanity is my ancestor.
Also, wanted to share today’s meditation from Richard Rohr. I found it’s message very helpful.
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/moving-beyond-what-we-already-know/
”We must never presume that we see “all” or accurately. We must always be ready to see anew.”
If we ever feel like we’ve arrived or are ‘done’
we haven’t even started.
I too,
try to keep a flexible mind
and an open heart,
dear Carol Ann . . .
one of the first things I learned,
and it has turned out to be a good foundation. ♥
I will be ‘done’ when my eyes close for final time.
Are you a registered organ and tissue donor? If so, THEN you will be done 🙂 Your last gift of life to someone else💚💙
Yes, I am Michele.
Yes,
I am,
dear Michele,
and I will bear your words in mind
moving forward
with love . . .
I would be honored to make people laugh and inspire imagination from beyond the grave.
Im pretty mediocre. Im ok with that. Ill probably be the ancestor responsible for the crazy unruly hair. Ive not participated in any momentous life changing events nor can I have a financial impact on anyone. Hopefully im not the ancestor that lived under a bridge or in a van by the river. 🙃😊 How Im remembered is based purely on the perspective. I have 2 sons- 1 will remember me as strong, hardworking, supportive and brave and imperfect. The other will remember me with bitterness as unsupportive > same woman >same life. So what my descendants think of me doesn’t concern me. Today will be a wonderful day. ✨️
I want to be remembered as smart & wise, very curious, kind & compassionate, a good sense of humor, resilient & strong & enlightened. ✨
I tried my best to make the world better. ♥️
Please pray for my safety today as I am flying to Phoenix. Appreciate your prayers. Thank you kindly. 🙏🏻
🕊️♥️
Hope you had a smooth, safe trip 🙏🏼
Safe travels to you PKR!
May you have a safe flight, dear PKR! Blessings. 🙏
May you experience tranquil skies, dear PKR.
Safe travels!
Prayers,
dear PKR,
for a safe and successful journey.
Say hello to Phoenix for me. 🙂
Picturing you surrounded with angels. I find getting on an air plane these days take a lot of courage!
Safe travels!
Have a safe flight PKR!
It’s not something I’ve ever thought about. Since I don’t have kids, my genes end here. As for being remembered in general, I’m definitely not worried about future generations remembering me. In the last few thousand years, I think humans have been far too interested in being remembered. At our own peril. Monuments are built, wars are fought, and we forget or become disinterested and move on.
Now, being remembered by the friends and family I leave behind, I would like to be remember as someone who tried to be kind, made people
laugh, worked hard, overcame some obstacles, and generally had a positive impact on those around me.
Charlie, I’m betting you do have sons and daughters. Maybe not genetic but my guess is that you are a teacher and a confident for many who have crossed your path. Also, I think of how you speak of your cat (or is it cats) and your appreciation for Mother Nature. As today’s quote says, …our humanity is bound up in others…for me that is all of Creation.
Charlie, I’m with you on living for ourselves since we don’t have children.
That I showed up.
You all are very kind. Thank you.
❤️
I thank you as well,
dear Yram . . .
I grow in wisdom
a little bit every day when you show up. ♥
YRAM, Thank you for showing up here every day!
One who was a human being, not an Artificial Intelligence model; One who was imperfect, but REAL. May everyone have a wonderful day filled with peace and love. 💕
My Ngoc, even as an HI, I can imagine how boring life would be living like an AI. I’m already close to that, but it’s still a huge difference. We’re programmed to need each other.
I appreciate seeing a question I haven’t seen before. Often, the questions are reused or tweaked. My father thinks a lot about his legacy, and when I can break through the dementia we talk about the the fiscal stability he is leaving. He gets excited about sending my girls to college. I want to leave a legacy of joy, spirituality, and postive action. I want to be like my father, he built hundreds of homes with Habitat for Humanity. My father mentored at-risk young men and children who lost their parents. Right now I am family and career-centered. But, I want to avoid being myopic and only thinking of mine. As my father moves into the last stage of his life I am inspired to be the type of ancestor he is becoming.
A giving human, your father, Avril.
Avril, Thanks for sharing.
I can feel the love you have for your father Avril. ♥️ He is blessed to have you in his life. Your reflection is beautiful.
Bless you & your dad. Peace to you All.
🕊️♥️
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. When I felt helpless during my husband’s illness, a minister offered the title, you are in the ministry of presence. That may be helpful to you also.
YRAM, Presence…Be still and know.
One who passes on strength, resilience, and happiness. One who worked through all of her trauma and all of the trauma unconsciously passed on to her so that no one else would have to carry it. One who reminds others that we are all connected, we all come from the same Source, and everyone should be treated as the Divine being that they are.
Patti, Like you I firmly believe that any healing I experience will be experienced by those who came before and those who come after me. Creation is One.
Ngoc and I don’t plan on having children of our own. As for being an ancestor, I want to be one where future generations remember me as someone who lived a peaceful and laid back lifestyle like I’m living now.