How will I be remembered? This a subject that I've thought about a lot during my life. How do I want to be remembered? In my youth I wanted to be remembered as a hero of historic proportions, a man who people looked up to as I had looked up to my childhood heroes. A man whose strenth and deeds of daring would live forever.
Later, in my teens, I realized that being considered heroic probably wasn't everything it was made out to be. I had started to realize that many of my childhood heroes had feet of clay and really weren't all that different from the people I saw everyday. They weren't perfect and really weren't larger than life. Although I still admired many of the people I had previously looked up to, particularly those who had played a part in the history of the United States, my desires had changed. I had learned to love the printed word and the ability to write. By the time I graduated high school, I wanted to be remembered as the man who wrote the "Great American" novel. I had even written my first book, though I turned coward at the thought of sending it to numerous publishers in an attempt to get it published. It was my baby, and I wasn't sure I wanted to face possible rejection on a massive scale.
So, now that I'm a grandfather, how do I want to be remembered today? First, I want to be remembered as a Christian man. A man who tried consciously to live his beliefs. Not through my words alone; but in the way I treated people, and the example I set for my children, grandchildren and others. I hope I've taught them compassion, integrity, honor, truthfulness, and the desire to always treat others as they want others to treat them. I've made plenty of mistakes in my life and would never attempt to convince anyone that I've been perfect. But, I do hope that I've tried to show that I try to live according to the things I believe and have learned from the Bible.
I also want to be remembered as a loving husband and father. Someone who, for the most part, thought of his wife and children before himself. As an individual who tried to be understanding and supportive. I would hope that my wife would remember me as the man who loved her with his total being, even though he wasn't always the best at telling or showing her how much he loved, needed, and honored her. And I would hope that my children thought of me as a dad who always tried to be fair and honest with them. If they can remember me that way then my life will have been a success. Hopefully, my grandchildren will remember as the man who loved them, and brought them many happy experiences, and provided a place of comfort and safety.
Next, I would hope that people would remember me as a true friend. Someone who wouldn't betray their confidences. A man they could turn to when their lives hit a rough patch and was there for them. Someone who could when needed offer good advice or just be there to listen when they needed someone.
And finally I would hope that I would be remembered as someone who willingly served in the Navy for 20 years. Not just because it was a good job, which it was. But, as someone who knew that there were things larger and more important than his personal satisfaction. Someone who served out of love of his country and because he knew that his country needed individuals willing to defend it. I enjoyed most of my time in the Navy, and I will never deny that, but, I also felt like I was part of something important, something that made a difference. Although, I never had to be in combat, I still felt a kinship with those who had gone before me, all the way back to the earliest members of the Navy. It felt good knowing I was part of such a long tradition.
Since childhood my dreams and thoughts have changed considerably and hopefully for the better. I hoped that I've learned there are a lot of things in life more important than me. And more important than material wealth, or having my name on the cover of a well loved book. Basically, I just hope I'm remembered as trying to be a good man.