Monday, March 12, 2012
Legacy - leaving a bequest or a gift to someone that will make their life better. When I reflect on the life of Charlatine Duffing - I am amazed by the legacy she has left. She was blessed with so very many gifts from god - a brilliant mind, charm and charisma, a fantastic sense of humor, empathy, kindness and love for others, and last but not least the gift of gab. (Which she shared with my mom on many occasions!)
She left the world her legacy through her children, and grandchildren, they inherited all of her gifts, and are a living testament to their loving mother. I had the privilege of meeting her grandson - Zachary -and immediately felt like i had known him forever. He like his mother share her intelligence and charm. All of her children are such wonderful people - so friendly, loving and considerate. Though years may pass between visits, they make you feel like they just were with you yesterday, and you a dear friend. I know they inherited this from their mom.
My dad - her oldest brother always had a very special place for her in his heart. I can remember sitting in the back seat of a car stuffed to the roof with all us kids, while my Aunt would catch him up on all the friends, and relatives, and the going ons in Baldwin. My dad is a pretty serious character, but when he would get together with my Aunt Tina or his other siblings I got to see a softer, younger, more carefree version of him. They would look at each other with the same glint, in their identical blue eyes. He misses her terribly.
She will be missed profoundly here on this planet, but I know that there is a party going on - "lets get this party started" I can hear her say, as she is held in the loving embrace of her parents, siblings, friends, and grandparents. I like to think that my sweet nephew Jonathan and a favorite of Aunt Tina - took her hand and led her through the golden gates, and said come on Aunt Tina we have work to do. The work I do believe that she will do - be here in spirit watching, and guiding her family and friends, until that day, that we see her smiling face again and she says come on, time to go.
So again I will go back to the word legacy - too small of a definition to express all that she accomplished and has left here to all of us. Her greatest pride, joy, and love were her children, my cousins - Kristin, Shanna, Chad, Brandon , Pam, and Harold, and maybe even more so her grandkids. You each are her legacy.
My love and pray to each of you.
Joanne Duffing
