A FAREWELL NOTE TO OUR CHILDREN

(What would you want to say?)

By Pat Spradley

If you were told that you only had a few hours of life left, what would the note you leave for your children say? What is it about the life you live you would want remembered or carried on?

The first month of the New Year is now behind us. New Year’s resolutions were made, but how many kept? Old habits and ways we promised would change, but how many actually have. Exactly what about ourselves would we want our children to know that will help sustain them through the good and bad times?

These questions may seem somewhat morbid, but during Black History Month, when we celebrate the lives of black men and women whose lives reflect stories needing to be told, what would our stories be?

I would tell my children that each day they live, their story is being written. Knowing this should help them to treat each day specially—mindful that someone is always watching and the script is being drafted.

I would tell them to seek opportunities to change the world in which they live with more focus on the solutions rather than the problems. When we see that there is a need, it’s good to talk about it, but we must also do something about it.

I would write, “Start Today” and ask that they make it their daily motto. In this way, they would always be aware that we fall down and make mistakes, but that staying down is not an option because tomorrow is not promised to us.

I would say, “Conduct self-examinations on a regular basis” because only you can control yourself, for better or worse.

I would tell them to give without expecting to get because giving tells the character of the giver more than the gift itself.

I would tell them to respect themselves and others and to take responsibility for their actions since each action has a consequence—positive or negative.

I would tell them that being a good leader is fine, but that if you choose to be a follower, to be very careful whom you choose to follow. Knowing and believing in what you stand for helps you determine if you are leading or following for the right reasons.

I would tell them that integrity is doing what you say you are going to do, even if it hurts. If I still thought that one of them might not get it, I would say, “Look, just do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. Your word is your bond!”

Finally, I would say that where you are does not define where you are going because only He has the plan for your life. Get to know Him for yourself, take the time to listen to Him, but most importantly, obey Him.

I would leave this earth with a smile because they would say, “Those are the same things that she said to us all the time. How could we ever forget?”

That is what my farewell note would say. What would you leave for them? n