Legacy

One week day, the nine children and I took our two rubber boats out to the southern branch of the Elizabeth River.

Kelsey, Isaac and I took turns rowing and holding Joshua.

This was the second boat.  Daniel and Kendal took turns rowing.

It was a strong start from the boat ramp.  If it weren't for jelly fish we could've happily all taken cool swim.  We were missing the nice fresh water of the mountain lakes during our vacation.

This is my absolute favorite.  We are crossing the Lafayette River at The Falls.  Kelsey is taking the photo before she crosses.  It's such a great picture of the children walking in my "footsteps" to explore the beautiful river.  Bob and Isaac were there too, they were hiking for a better spot at the time.

Daniel, Anna and Joy were walking the creek in Floyd.  It was an adventure as the rhodedendrons were so thick across most of the path.  Creek walking was a favorite pastime of my sister's and mine. 

Anna caught the largest fish during our trip.  She, Joy and Daniel were very diligent and persistent.  They all handle themselves well around the water and rods.

What do all these photos have in common?  They remind me that the saying is true:  "More is caught than taught."  Also, I think I've been told before that children tend to follow the passions of their parents (good and bad).  

It seems to me that our children loving the outdoors, boating, fishing, creek walking, and generally exploring and adoring God's creation, has come from the thousands of times they've heard me rave about the beauty and joy I find in it.  To a degree all children seem to love animals and outdoors.  But not all children learn to navigate a small boat, bait and release their own fish, and save wild animals.  My mother and father taught me those things, and so much more.  

My mom is a skilled seamstress.   Once her friends realized her talent they called upon her often for such help.  That is now my story and the same goes for my eldest daughters.  My father would rather be on the river in a canoe with a fishing rod than anywhere in the world.  I couldn't agree more.  And I have many children who would volunteer to be right beside us.  Mom and Dad gave us the gifts of sharing what they love.  Mom adores birds.  So do we.  Dad intentionally threw us in the water so that we had to swim.  He even dragged us behind a motorboat so that we had to try water skiing.  He taught us to cast and reel a rod.  But he also made us cut worms, jab them with hooks, and then pull hooks out of the fishes' mouths once they were caught.  He didn't get to do much fishing when he took us since there were many tangled lines and many deeply embedded hooks.  He harrassed us when we rowed the canoes incorrectly but taught us exactly how to do it well.  He wanted us to know how to do "stuff."  It worked.  He was intentional. : )

Last month when he observed eleven year old Daniel back paddling to ease himself up to my dad's pontoon boat, he commented on Daniel's skill.  He said that he noticed how handy another child was with a fishing rod.  Maybe that was Daniel too.  I can't remember.  But my heart did well with a mother's pride when I realized that our children were finally old enough to earn their Granddad's respect for knowing how to do something that he thinks is important.  What a sweet moment.  

As I mulled over this idea of legacy I realized that my house is generally uncluttered and mostly neat but not obsessively clean.  So was and is my mother's home.  My wardrobe is not large, or fancy and and like my mother, I do not have lust for impractical or excessive amounts of clothing.  We have what we need, and often make what we like, in order to honor our Lord and our family.  My Mom didn't talk about these things, but she passed the habit down to me through her chaste actions.  I am very practically minded.  My mother is the ultimate of that. 

It is interesting food for thought.  What will this look like as it is fleshed out in our nine children?  Thus far, it is mostly lovely.  When it is sinful behavior and we recognize it...ouch!  Repentance soon follows.  Children are good mirrors.  

I am thankful for the legacy that my parents have given to me and now to our children.  I'm going to make a list of all the things that have been passed down thus far and send a note to each of my parents to thank them.  Then I'm going to try to remember to reserve my passions those things that honor Jesus so that my legacy will be a godly one.