Rabbi Elkodsi, of the Malverne Jewish Center, wanted to segue into the topic of Leaving a Legacy.  She got me.  I realized where I am and where I am going and I WAS DESPERATE TO LEAVE A LEGACY.   If my book is about one thing – it is about my journey to find a legacy to leave.

Legacy USUALLY means money.  All the hospitals, all the synagogues and churches, all the summer camps, all the charitable organizations are all hoping I am in a position to leave them a legacy.

But what is a middle class mom supposed to do when there is not enough wealth accumulated to leave a legacy?

I wrote a book and am 6 chapters into my second.  My girlfriend has knitted and socked away enough baby blankets to leave for the great-grandchildren she will never see.

What if you are single? Never had children? or will never have grandchildren?  Well, I would say: “What did you enjoy most of all, in your life?”  Was it food? Leave recipes.  Was it skiing? Leave a scholarship.  Was it swimming? Send someone to summer camp.  Was it sitting in the park?  Leave a bench!

YOUR PASSION is the answer.  If you enjoy(ed) traveling, leave your cleaning lady a trip.   Make your passion become your legacy.  Make your legacy become your purpose and your purpose become your project.  Just trying to get it done will keep you busy.  Getting it done will make you proud.  Sharing your project with the world will make you less lonely.   And your life will find its meaning, so aging will be bittersweet, not just bitter.

I want to hear your thoughts.