Legacy

March 31, 2024

This past weekend, I had the honor and privilege of attending the visitation of one of my dearest friend’s father. It was an unexpected and sudden passing, but God’s timing is never off, even when we can’t understand it.

The visitation for my friend’s family was held in Knoxville, TN. Knoxville is about a 3 ½ hour drive from Huntsville, and I was so honored to make this trip. Having driven this route many times when headed to the Smokey Mountains, I knew it well. It was such a peaceful drive and beautiful drive.

For me there is something about being present for others that moves me to my core. I wouldn’t have missed this moment for anything.

I arrived in Knoxville early, so I had time to enjoy the downtown area. Yes, I know it is UT country and no, my truck did not venture onto that campus. Knoxville was having their St. Patrick’s Day festival that day, and I must say, Knoxville did it right. I had never seen or heard a full Bag Pipe Band before, and since I love Celtic music, it was fabulous. I can truly say, I enjoyed my time downtown Knoxville and survived that Tennessee orange, mixed with St. Patty’s day green. Every time I walked by a Pub, I had to remind myself a few times why I was there. I was in town for a funeral, not to indulge at the local Irish Pub scene. (Ha!)

The drive from the downtown area out to the church was picturesque. You couldn’t have asked for a prettier day and off in the distance you could see the beautiful Smokey Mountains rising. I’m truly a mountains guy vs a beach guy and yes, the mountains were calling. I’ll be back soon.

Arriving at the Mount Olive Baptist Church parking lot the first thing that I noticed was just how green the grass already was in Knoxville. The dog woods and other spring trees were already blooming. It seemed spring had arrived earlier in Knoxville than in Huntsville.

Mount Olive is your traditional, southern Baptist church with beautifully kept grounds and facilities. As I walked into the facility, I was struck by both a somberness and a beautiful peace. I had not been in a traditional church facility like this in some time. I don’t think there is ever a perfect day for a funeral, but if you had to pick a day, this was a beautiful day for a homegoing celebration.

Walking around the side aisle of the church, I noticed on stage right, the beautiful black grand piano along with other instruments. Across the stage, was a large organ. It took me back to my days of playing in the church band and playing the organ. The church had traditional pews and I had not sat in a padded church pew in many, many years. As I sat there, I just took it all in. Not sure why being in the sanctuary moved me so, but it did.

I picked up the Baptist Hymnal, of which I had not seen in many, many years. It took me back to my music lesson days with Ms. Paulette Embry, who taught me how to play the organ.

While waiting in line to visit with my friends and meet her family, the word “LEGACY” came to mind. I looked around the church and thought of the legacy that has sat on those pews through the years, the legacy of those who stood on that stage, played the grand piano, the organ, the legacy of those that were there that day.  Legacy.

One of my dearest friends had lost her dad and I couldn’t think of any place I had more purpose to be than standing in the Mount Olive Baptist Church, in Knoxville, TN, to honor my friend and the legacy of her dad. No, I never had the privilege of meeting her dad. But I knew of his legacy through his daughter, Emily, my dear friend.

WHAT WILL OUR LEGACY BE?

Will it be a legacy of kindness, compassion for others, a love for people, adventure, the love of life, the love for someone else?

No one will ever remember your job title, your salary, the different positions you held, those long nights stressing over a deadline, a major audit, etc. No, no one ever will. None of that will ever be remembered.  No one will give you an award one day for sending that last email, taking time away from life to work overtime, giving up your free time to a work project. No, probably not. But how you live your life, how you handle those situations, treat others, the impact you have on individuals and more, will be remembered. Make it meaningful.

“Legacy is not defined by works it’s defined by our daily life.”

I believe our legacy is lived out daily in how we treat one another, how we love, how we work to empower others, make a difference, whether seen or unseen, how we share life with our family and friends.  

I’ll leave you with this story.

On a recent morning sweet tea run, I stopped by my favorite Chick-fil-A for a fix (don’t judge). As I normally do, I asked the young lady assisting me, was she having a good morning. She looked up, smiled, and said, “Yes, I’m having a great morning, I was on the list to wake up today”. That profound statement hit me hard and left me in tears. I walked out of Chick-fil-A, with my sweet tea, in tears. That phrase stuck with me all day.

“I was on the list to wake up today”- A Chick-fil-A Employee

I’m Jason Thrasher and this is BestLife50.