Never think your words don't matter: what I learned at Thanksgiving this year

[CTyankee]

My beloved sister in law died ten years ago. I spoke at her memorial service and quoted from "Bridge over Troubled Waters," the lines starting "Sail on, silver girl. Sail on by..."

At this Thanksgiving, my niece told me a friend of hers had heard my remarks at her service and was inspired to use them at her loved one's memorial service just recently.

I started to cry. I was happy/sad. I said I was sure that I had choked out those words because I started to cry. My niece said nobody noticed. I told her my second book was dedicated to her, my mother's memory and my wonderful husband and I would make sure she got a copy.

You never know how you will be remembered.

[Mr.Bill]

1. We all have moments like that in our life.

And they can't really be planned. They just happen. As an Atheist, I see that as my after life, the idea that people will continue to be influenced by something I said or did long after I'm gone. My job is to see that those moments are positive.

[CTyankee]

3. I'm in my 80s and I think a lot about my legacy. My grandkids will remember me as the grandma who

wrote books about art she had seen. My hope is that I inspire them to go see the art themselves!

[Mr.Bill]

4. Since my wife retired she has been

making quilts for her family members. I'd say about 20 of them so far. She embroiders her name and the year in the corner of every one of them. Nice way to be remembered, I think.

[Nittersing]

7. About 40 years ago

I lived in a community that my aunt was a part of. I was new in town and stayed for about six months until I got a job and found a place to live. While living there, I made a small, frog-shaped quilt and gave it to another woman living there. She was either pregnant or already had young kids... don't remember now.

About five years ago I ran into said mother and a couple of her (grown) kids and found out that the frog quilt was now being used by grandkids! Everybody loved that quilt!!

I had no idea.

[CTyankee]

13. And the memories that go along with them!

[CTyankee]

14. I have passed down a lace overlay for a tablecloth my mother made to my daughter.

Every Thanksgiving she puts it over a white tablecloth at our dinner. I finally got around to researching the pattern and found out the pattern (called Battenburg) was popular in this country during the 40s and 50s and was made with strong silk. However, you couldn't buy silk for arts/crafts during WW2. Why? Because the silk that was available was needed for parachutes.

[Evolve Dammit]

9. A very worthy legacy to pass down. I hope they do it and can be safe (and afford it). So much has

changed. My brother went to Europe 2x in the 60's. Art history major who wanted to see all the great works. Traveled extensively with very little money for months. Became a great professor and artist. I wonder if the same could happen today?

[CTyankee]

15. One of my granddaughters called me from Rome recently!

She was there to have a good time with her friends. I didn't grill her on the art she could see but I did give her a great quote: "Renaissance artists intend to lift you up. Baroque art hunts you down." And Rome is the place you learn this for yourself...

[Evolve Dammit]

16. excellent summation. Ah Roma! Wish we were there. Love Italy. Gotta get to Florence.

[CTyankee]

17. PLEASE LET ME KNOW if you go to Florence!

I developed a little guide of where to go to see what you shouldn't miss. I loved just walking in Florence and stopping into little churches where I found paintings that I had only seen in pictures!

It's only two sheets and tells you what is where (IMHO).

[Evolve Dammit]

18. Thank you so much. That would be great!

[malaise]

2. A profound observation

Inspiration is everywhere if we'd only listen

[ancianita]

5. Thank you for sharing this. It's heartwarming.

[a kennedy]

6. Oh my gawd.......I loved that, thank you for sharing this.......♥️ ♥️ ♥️

I try everyday I’m out, to say something nice or complementary to dang near everyone I talk to……it makes me feel good and they always smile in appreciation. It’s a small, small thing, but sooooooooooooo important. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

[dem in texas]

12. I do the same thing.

You are so right, it makes me feel good and I hope the person I am speaking to feels good, too. This is so simple to do; why don't people do it more often.

[Aristus]

8. ...

[Uncle Joe]

10. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for sharing CTyankee.

[grantcart]

11. You disperse the seeds never knowing which will germinate and grow

Occasionally you have a chance to see one grow before your eyes.

Just imagine how many grow beyond your line of sight.

Imagine how many will grow and give seeds of themselves after you have gone.

[CTyankee]

19. It's a real comfort as you get older.