Wednesday Wisdom: How do you want to be remembered?

Dedicated to my late Grandmother, Saint Ann

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my Grandma passing away.

She lived a full life and our family called her Saint Ann because of how kind and patient she was. I remember that after she passed, the worst thing anyone could remember her saying was a stern “Go play outside” to my aunt when she was young. My Grandma loved her husband and her family so much. Family was everything to her.

I had the amazing opportunity to curate her life and make a movie that was watched after her funeral. The amount of photos amassed with smiling Grandma and a smiling family member were immense and it filled my heart.

In making this tribute, I saw that my Grandma lived a full life and that she spread her love to others. She made an impact.

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Losing her last year changed me to the core. I really started looking at my life differently, thinking about what legacy I would want to leave and how I want to be surrounded by a large, loving family when I pass on.

I remember deciding to buy an RV and travel the country shortly after she passed as well as beginning this writing and podcast to help others.

I also remember that the day she went into the hospital, Valentine’s Day 2023, was also the day I restarted my sobriety and began starting daily accountability calls with my little brother, Noah.

During this month of February, I was inspired to be the solution in my life versus seeking exterior solutions to solve my woes. Instead of porn or alcohol, I turned towards my childhood passions.

Making movies, writing stories, and playing basketball were things I’d lose myself in when I was a kid. While time flew by, it also felt endless. I decided to pursue that feeling of pure bliss by picking up these hobbies again.

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At the height of my depressive state, I didn’t want to do anything at all. Once I started moving towards these passions and reconnecting with them, the depression fell off my back like water.

Do I still feel sad at times? Sure I do. But can I move out of that state much quicker and healthier than before? Certainly.

To me, what's crucial is moving towards something to get you out of the pit of despair.

To me, what’s so important is asking yourself. “how do I want to be remembered?”