Legacy

I don’t know much generational history from either side of my family. I can rattle off a few things about my grandparents’ generation, and work my way forward, and that’s about it. Starting with them and working my way to my son, there are four generations I can losely speak of. Today we’ll cover three of the four.

Let’s start with my Daddy. Patriarch of our bunch, he is an incredibly intelligent man with an amazingly strong work ethic and practical skills beyond compare. When I was a little girl he was working full-time at the Postal Service and began his college career. He started his journey at the local community college, and because he worked full-time during the day, he schooled part-time in the evenings. Which, of course, meant it took twice as long. He worked and studied and worked and studied. Which meant my Mama, Sister, and I were really quiet in the evenings and weekends when he was home studying. It’s funny now, it wasn’t funny then. We would hunker in the bedroom around a little 4-inch portable black-and-white tv, and if the volume got too loud, we’d hear the reprimand from the kitchen table, “TURN THAT TV DOWN!!!” Are you kidding me?!?! We couldn’t hear it to begin with! But we’d comply and sit all-the-closer. And guess what? We survived just fine. Oh, and my Mama survived typing his papers for him. You see, he’s a lefty and maybe some of his letters run together and maybe my Mama couldn’t read them and maybe it was a little frustrating for them both and maybe if my Mama couldn’t type four-hundred-words-a-minute she wouldn’t have been tasked with the job.

But there we all were.

Anyhoo.

Again, part-time takes twice as long, so four years later he had his associates degree, and it was on to university. The Florida State University. For four more years, or was it five? Seems as I remember his college career took nine years in total, but I’ll need to confirm that. What I don’t need to confirm is that in those nine years the man only made one “B.” He graduated with honors because every other grade he made was an “A.” He set a strong precedent. A degree in Business, and it was time to further his career and move up the ranks. The effort paid off in the world’s eyes – he finished his career as Postmaster – but more importantly in his and our eyes, as no one can ever take that accomplishment away from him. Well done, Sir.

Then there’s my Sister. She followed in Daddy’s footsteps and was a student in good standing at The Florida State University. She graduated with a degree in elementary education; she always wanted to teach first grade. We both still lived at home and lived relatively near campus, so she still had the duties of picking me up from school each day, as she’s a few years older than I. She was leading the way for our generation. She completed her college career succinctly – four years, just as it should be when you’re fresh out of high-school and straight into college. Off to her career she went and now is just one school year away from completing a life-long calling. Oh, the stories she’s told over the years, but more importantly, the lives she’s touched. Many of her students return to hug her neck and tell her thank you, and more than a few have made sure that she’s been the teacher for their children. Full-circle moments, for sure.

And we end this little journey with my son; our most recent graduate of The Florida State University. It was a crazy road to cross the goal line, but we all made it, with a football career to boot. Oh, and a “Scholar Athlete” designation, too. A Political Science major, with a minor in Communication, he finished the crazy ride right on time – 3 schools, 4 years, and done. Graduation day was a sweet walk for us all. I’ve never been more proud.

Such a great legacy being laid for future generations, and I mean that both literally and figuratively. You see, my sister gifted the three of them a memorial to their achievements that will last for generations to come. Allow me to tell you about it.

On the campus of FSU is The Westcott Building – the literal gateway to the university. Regal in its stance, beautiful in design, host of uncountable events of all types, Westcott is known far and wide. Within the walls of Westcott lies Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, (formerly Ruby Diamond Auditorium, which is what many of us natives still call it because, well, old habits die hard), where certainly millions have trod over a century. Named after a quite notable benefactor, it can take a minute to grow accustomed to the name, but in short order it rolls off the tongue as if you knew Ms. Diamond herself.

On the plaza at Westcott, between the College Avenue Gate and the steps, is one of Tallahassee’s most well-known sights – The Fountain at Westcott. Many a student (we will neither confirm nor deny the level of inebriation) has taken a dive, tumble, swim or such, in the fountain. And it’s been turned every color imaginable, and often filled with bubbles to overflowing. Iconic photo ops, for sure.

All around the fountain, in recent years, brick pavers have been laid on which you can etch your memorial to FSU graduates. This is what my sister gifted our three family grads.

Carved to last for decades, this legacy will be passed on for generations to come. Hopefully my grandchildren and their grandchildren will somehow play a part in continuing the rich heritage begun by my Daddy. And should they choose another path, it’ll be alright, because they can always return to the plaza at Westcott and see where the generations before them spent their time gaining a higher education and launch to their future.

I’m incredibly proud of my Daddy and Sister and Son for completing what not everyone has done. With stellar grades, to boot.

May the tradition live long.

Go Noles!