I don't know if it's cause I'm kinda worn down personally, or worried about some serious health issues of several friends, or maybe a combination of all the above; but, I awoke this morning with one question weighin heavy on my mind.
Before I had even thrown the first leg out of bed I had already begun to ponder "What kind of legacy will I leave when I pass on to whatever waits me after death?" Strange way to start the day huh?
In personal examination of material things, the list is so few I can even list them for strangers to read one 80 year old 5,000sq. ft church with a double lot in the land of Ape,.....two (2) flatrack racing motorcycles complete and restored, and five (5) parts bikes, one (1) micro-winged sprint car, and a 1981 chevy van with only one hundred thousand miles on it to haul either race bikes or race car. Cash value of the above combined probably $25,000. Things of mine a little more personal ,yet with cash value, one (1) carved bird effigy pipe handed down through my family from generation to generation, assorted indian effigies, and related spiritual articles necessary in the teachins of the "old ways". A library of a couple hundred books, on Indians and Confederates, and assorted other subjects,a small number are first editions a couple are rare, a 1966 Fender Telecaster guitar, and a 2001 Fender acoustic guitar.
Well, as Porky Pig would say "thats all folks", that's all ole T has to leave to a beautiful wife, three beautiful daughters, his Momma , and a sister, if I was to check out today. No cash reserves, no life insurance, no stocks, no bonds.............
Whew, seein it listed out like that makes me feel pretty much like a failure, especially since I started workin at age 12.
However, before ya'll think I have fallen into some in-escapable pit of depression, I will have to take a few minutes and tally what else I might be able to leave my family and friends........
Let's see..........yea family and friends, I've got a ton of them, so I'll put them in the assets column, the knowledge of my ancestors, who they were where they came from, complete with antique photos; yep that's a plus, add them in. Let's see anything else? How about a couple file cabinets full of selected writings of mine and those of friends, a drawer full of newspaper clippins and photos, of when I really was someone in the world of activism,
I guess a 3/4 lifetime of such things could be consider worthy of tally.Hmmmmmm gettin a little tougher, oh yea, about 150 copywrited songs starting in 1967, to the present. How about (2) boxes full of printed emails from Southern folks thankin me and mine for what little we have done in the Cause, I saved em, so they must be of some value, so I'll add them in too. Well, that just leaves about a dozen assorted flags. (Indian and Confederate) alike, one presented to me in 1988 by the NAIA, it was carried on the complete re-walk of the Trail of Tears, then there are flags presented to me from several divisions of the SCV, then there are the flags I've personally used in flaggins, and two walls worth of awards, medals , and certificates from Indian and Southern Heritage groups. Huh, people took the time and money to purchase them and award them, so they have a value too I guess..........
Well, lets do the cyphering as Jethro Bodine would say....+..........+...........+.............+....................+............+........+ +........+..............+...........=WOW..........I guess I am richer than I ever dreamed!!
Ok, what's the point?????? Simply this.. though they wont feed , clothe, or transport anyone from place to place, the main things I have to leave those I love, are a legacy of honor,belief in God, dedication, pride in who you are and where you come from; as well as an undying devotion to the Cause.
Some would think these most trivial, I do not share that belief. What did our Confederate ancestors leave their loved ones? Well, for the most part I don't think it was wealth in material goods. The war pretty well shot that didn't it? So what did they leave? Photos, personal writings, songs, uniforms, flags, books, medals, ancestoral histories, pride in ones self, love of God,family and friends, and an undying devotion to the Cause.
See,the legacy I will leave is the same that was left to me, as was left to my parents, and theirs before them, and theirs before them.
Would I love to leave a legacy of wealth to my family? Well, hell yes, what kind of a husband and daddy would I be not to want to? Do I think it will happen? I'd say unless I'd win the lottery probably not. And since I don't play the lottery the chances are very slim indeed. As to the legacy I will be able to leave, do I think it worth merit? I'd say "heavans yes". It's served me pretty well for nigh on 54 years. So if there is still anyone readin at this point, I'd ask before closin this piece that ya'll take just a few moments and re- think the legacy that ya'll will leave. I don't mean the financial one, I just used that as a starting point for this article. Ya know, a way of gaining one's attention. What I am referring to is, that outside the financial realm. Stuff like being their for your parents, siblings , children. How about helpin out in the community if ya have the time ? It's a good way to continue on what being Southern really is about, and it provides the opportunity to influence the thinkin of others. How about the quanity and quality of your involvement in the Cause itself. Will your legacy be one of, "Ya know that Confederate stuff was all in the past", or will it be one of "Im sure glad that I have taught my children the truth about the South". Will you be content to let a small handful of the truely dedicated fight your fight for you, or will you go to your grave knowing that you stood tall and proud with them? I hope the choice is the latter. One doesn't have to devote the majority of the day to standin in the elements flaggin (though thank God there are some willin to do so), you don't have to spend huge amounts of money to contribute either. Nor does one have to spend hour after hour at a keyboard tryin to get the word out.............but if you can write letters and emails,for the Cause, then do so.......If you can contribute a buck or two or five, to heritage fundraisers, then please do so.......For there are some who would love to be able to, but simply can't... so do it for them. If you can stand with the flaggers, THEN BY ALL MEANS DO SO!!!! It is as close as we can come legally today to being like our Confederate Kin. Of course that, along with everythin else I've written here is just my opinion. I'm sure that there will be someone who will think.."this halfbreed/reb is talkin out the top of his head" what kind of legacy is that to leave?.....In my opinion, "a good one" and one I am proud to leave.
God Bless and Save the South, for like the rain forest, a little more of her disapears everyday.