As long as we’re still breathing air, we’re all going to roll around another 365 (or 366) days and a birthday pops up again. Our family recently celebrated a milestone one – 90 years. The calendar also rolled up the same age for a Farmall tractor my dad gave me many years ago. I made the investment to have it restored and it was celebrated along with the family member, but it was certainly relegated to being lesser important.
A community center was rented for the celebration because we’re quite an assembly by now – over 70 people (and everyone was in attendance). There were of course appreciations expressed and a lot of conversations (and an equal amount of food). At the end of the day, I at least came away with a deeper sense of legacy. What are we imparting everyday, and what of real value will last beyond us? Someone commented that even that 90-year-old tractor with its very simplistic technology would outlive all of us (barring of course some unforeseen event).
A young musician came by the studio recently and we were talking some about our journeys – Tesco Productions over the past 40 years and his shorter time making music. I showed him around, which brought us by the dozens and dozens of names signed on the walls – some with accompanying artwork. This often causes me to reflect on the interactions with so many people over the years, and the projects we worked on together. In a study group I’m in, I was assigned last week to expound on Psalm 90 from the Old Testament book of Psalms. We had been reading about the concluding months and days of Moses, and I did not remember this psalm is attributed to him. Nearing the end of his life and giving final thoughts, he summarizes his many years leading the nation of Israel. He then concludes with these final repeated words, “Lord, establish (confirm) the works of our hands.” In other words, “may our lives have lasting value beyond us,” implying that’s not a given. I guess that’s a big part of why I’m still opening the door and connecting with clients – hoping our time together has meaning beyond itself.