Neil Armstrong
The world lost another amazing man this week. Neil Armstrong was an incredible explorer – how brave must he have been to accept the crazy dream of a country to put a man on the moon? To blast off into the unknown, into blackness. I’m sure his heart would have been in his mouth plenty of times over the days of that mission. Surely death would have had to come in his thoughts. Well, they would have come into mine! I’m not sure I would have risked my life and miss out on my kids, grandkids, weddings and all the good things, to land on the moon.
But what a legacy he left behind!
It got me thinking about legacies. My grand parents were great people, although my Papa could be a little scary. He had a big voice, a wonderful singing voice. He could be fun, but he was strict. There was no talking at lunchtime, because the Country Hour was on and woe-be-tied anyone who spoke when the weather was being read out.
My Nana was different. She was soft, gentle, loving and the best cook. She was also an amazing gardener.
Fleur when she was in Year 12 with her grandparents Frank And Phyllis Heaslip
My other Nana, Nana Parnell, was a bit more like me (or rather, I guess I’m like her.) She had an active imagination, she could tell stories, was as disorganised as anything and hoarded everything! (Huh! The more I write, the more I think she could be me!) She also loved cooking.
But when I look back on what legacies my grandparents left us, it was their family, values and beliefs. All three grandparents raised their children to upstanding adults. To be hard working and ethical. To love and help anyone.
It feels good to know that things they loved were handed down to us kids and grandkids; like my writing and love of cooking. I never did get that gardening gene though!
What legacy to do feel you’ve been left by your family or someone close?
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I only really know my mum’s parents – we are italian – but the instilled a strong work ethic, putting family first and a love for cooking good food. Even in my pa’s last few weeks he wanted to go home (rather than the nursing home) because it wsa his job to be home and look after his family. They came to australia with nothing and worked hard to make a better life for their children.
Our grandparents can leave some fantastic memories and legacies, It made me smile whilst reading yours. Are you sure you didn’t get the gardening gene though?? Look around Fleur, Growing and nurturing……. Hmmm, Don’t tell me you aren’t part of that 😉
Gosh – I look around at our legacy every day. Hard work and stubborness and single-bloody-mindedness earned it. The kind you rarely see today. Who knows what legacy I will leave? Hopefully the ability to savour what those before me have earned…
🙂
BB
PS Great post.
I never knew my father’s parents, my grandfather died during the WW1 will have recently returned from Belgium/France doing my re-search into the Battle of St Quentien and visiting the commonwealth war graves cementary were is name is on a wall as he has no known grave, his wife, my gran died when I was two. My mother’s were very hard workers as were my parents. My parents cared very much for their community and the people that lived in it, which I believe is the legacy my sister’s and I have, our parents were both great gardeners and my mum was a excellent cook which we all have in common. Sadly our son’s only ever knew my Mum but if they continue in life showing kindness to other I shall be very happy!!
I never knew my father’s parents, my grandfather died during the WW1 will have recently returned from Belgium/France doing my re-search into the Battle of St Quentien and visiting the commonwealth war graves cementary were his name is on a wall as he has no known grave, his wife, my gran died when I was two. My mother’s parents were very hard workers as were my parents. My parents cared very much for their community and the people that lived in it, which I believe is the legacy my sister’s and I have, our parents were both great gardeners and my mum was a excellent cook which we all have in common. Sadly our son’s only ever knew my Mum but if they continue in life showing kindness to other I shall be very happy!!