Leaving a Legacy

We have traveled to Iowa unexpectedly to attend the funeral of a man who mentored Nathan as a youth Scout. I never had the pleasure of meeting R.D. although we'd talked about getting in touch with him for several years. His early passing reminds me that we should seize the day and not put off what we can do today. His funeral was packed ... his fellow LDS church members, Scouters and community folks. He was loved and his love for others has created a ripple in the pond that will long be seen and felt. As I looked around the room and listened to the empassioned testimonies on his well spent life, I couldn't help but wonder about my own legacy.

I picked up a card from his funeral and it had a great poem that I thought I'd share.

"A Bag of Tools" by R.L. Sharpe
Isn't it strange that princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
And common people like you and me
are builders of eternity?

Each is given a bag of tools,
a shapeless mass,
a book of rules;
and each must make-
ere life is flown,
a stumbling block
Or a stepping stone.

Carpe Diem.