Our first "4WW Writing" prompt for the fourth and final part of our 2024 writing, Legacy, came out yesterday.
The prompt was, "For what top 5 things would you want to be remembered? By whom? What images/thoughts/beliefs/would I not want to be extinguished, and that you hope will stay alive in some way with your family/friends."
We thought it would be helpful for you to see some examples of how you might work with this. As we move through the 4 seasons, we have been sharing an excerpt of our story, rotating the style of writing, once at the beginning of each season. These are not our entire writings for that week, just an example to share what it might look like. All 4 of us are hoping to have a volume of writing at the end of this year that captures our story. Each prompt is different in how much we feel we can write from knowing vs guessing vs wishing vs would rather not even think about it. Wherever this takes you, we hope you are finding the opportunity to reflect, remember, and make plans for the future.
While the focus of this practice for us is writing, you may also choose to work through these prompts with a more visual-art type of product. Do what works for you. The only wrong way to do this practice is to not do it.
If you missed our other samples, you can see Part 1 - Childhood here, Part 2 - Young Adulthood here, and Part 3 - Older Adulthood here.
Example 1: Writing in a list - by Donkey Soul Sister
I would like to be remembered for...
-I was kind and generous
-I followed my heart
-I saw open doors and walked through them when I felt it was right
-I worked hard, had grit, and didn't give up
-I left the world a better place
Who do I want to remember me...
-my nieces and nephews
-my students
What do I want to stay alive after I am gone...
-the family stories of those who came before me whose paths I traced
-that it is OK to work for and have what you want in your life - and you can
-that everyone's story is important
-that every one can make a positive difference in this world
-Ted Lasso and all of the beautiful notions embedded within...
Example 2: Prose - by Star Woman
I expect I’m not alone in this desire to be remembered in a good way after I die. As the years pass (seemingly ever faster now that I’m in my 70’s), the thoughts of how I’ll be remembered crash in ever more often.
This desire to be remembered well has been with me as the years have gone by, and I’ve come by that recurring wish quite honestly. The person I remember most from my childhood who had a positive impact on me was my paternal grandmother, Mai. I understood later in life that what I experienced as idyllic was, in fact, created by a woman who was doing what she needed to survive. A farmer, Mai always had a vegetable garden, and she kept cows for milk. We had fresh vegetables and milk, and the excess was sold for her income. She showed us grandchildren a calm, inclusive acceptance. I know now that what she exhibited was unconditional love – though she never used the word. We were unquestionably safe with her and had nothing to prove to remain within her sphere of acceptance.
So with those thoughts as my grounding, I would first want to be remembered by my siblings for who I have been in our family of nine: a rule-breaker who stubbornly painted outside the lines (and accepted the harsh consequences) at a time when some others in our family were not allowed to do that; someone who was an intrepid adventurer; a sister who was more than a bit of a pain-in-the butt at times, but kind and loving, always with all good intentions.
I would want to be celebrated by my grandchildren…
Example 3: Poetry - by Red Moon Warrior
Responsible*
Empathetic *
Mindful
Easygoing*
Mellow
Balanced
Earthy
Resilient *
Endearing*
Decisive
(* = top five)...
Example 4: Once Upon a Time - by Butterfly Heart
Once upon a time a grey haired blue eyed damsel long in years, bright in energy, beautiful in spirit, walked alone in a cool, clear forest, leaning on her balsam staff, more for affect than need. Cloaked in purple and green, adorned with magnificent fabric and ribbons, water coloured gemstones cascading in her wake, she moved with the grace of the ages.
After a time, poised on the verge of the Autumnal wood, the woman sat on a patch of leaves, soft as a down cushion, ready to begin. She had arrived at her destination. She’d come that day to pay homage to a life well and long, richly and eventfully, lived.
She’d come to share her truths.
“Ahhh” a sound softly expelling from deep within began her remembrances. It was a soul sighing in wonder and gratitude, come to full bloom at last. And the questions before her: What is my legacy? A simple ponderance? Not. “For what top 5 things would you want to be remembered? By whom? What images/thoughts/ beliefs would you not want to be extinguished, and that you hope will stay alive in some way with your family/friends?”
The five things, lessons to be handed down: her legacy, summoned quickly from within her, a lifetime of stores and stories revealed. “First, for wisdom. Know when to stand your ground. Know when to walk away. Go within and speak and live in your truth.” Just then, the image of a candle appeared in the wood glowing gold its warmth kissing the woman’s cheek. “Wisdom is your light,” she whispered.
“Second, for intellect and life long learning. Always stay curious.” Above the woman a soft fluttering of leaves that ever so softly transformed into Images. Images of her students, of herself, her colleagues, her parents, grandparents, friends, siblings, sisters, her children, and grandchildren, skittering and scattering, floating pictures of classrooms, lecture halls, plays, stories, books, films, adventures, stumbles, falls, scrapes, bumps, sorrows, failures, victories, bruises, graduations, celebrations of nothing and everything, of love, of life. “Learning is your LONGING. It is a DIVINE DISCONTENT,” she cautioned...
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