Leaving a Legacy

I recently read a book for work called The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. It's an easy read that explains how to live a positive life both at work and home. After reading Gordon's book, I signed up for his weekly newsletters. Click this link to see what he sent this week. I thought of Kevin...

5 WAYS TO LEAVE A LEGACY

Kevin wasn't a millionaire, movie star, NFL football player, the president, or any other important public figure. Every news station in America didn't cover his untimely death and funeral nor interview the mourners who were grieving deeply. His photo didn't appear on the cover of every magazine and his story didn't don the front page of every major newspaper. 

Kevin was the brother to 11 siblings, the 10th child of two wonderful parents, the son-in-law of a woman who loved him like her own, the father of our four children and the husband of an ordinary 34 year old woman. His legacy may not have touched millions of people around the world, but he certainly left an imprint in the heart of those who knew him. 

He left behind friends whose lives have a dark hole by not having him around to laugh with, share with, or enjoy sports with. 

The church lost a volunteer, supporter, believer, and friend.

Pipefitter's Local Union 120 lost a union brother and a damn good fitter. 

The children of Cleveland lost a caring and patient baseball coach.

Saint Joseph Academy and Holy Name High School are missing out on their biggest fan that wears funny wigs and paints his face the school's colors.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel school lost a basketball coach who gave up Sunday morning breakfasts with his family to coach second and third graders who were not his children. They also lost a passionate soccer coach who gave countless hours to players to help them learn, grow, and achieve. 

Four God children will not have his positive influence or be able to look up to him as a mentor.

Kevin Karn's legacy is evident in the lives of his beautiful children who also give generously, love wholeheartedly, and live life passionately. There's no doubt they will live their own lives in direct reflection of the wonderful man who gave them life and taught them how to be great people.

He is loved and missed by many. Many whose lives will never be whole again, but are filled with the excellence, encouragement, purpose and love that he left them.

© 2011 by Jennifer M. Karn

"Jennifer, I have great news!"

"You get to file one more year as a widow which makes a substantial difference on your return."

Gee, thanks.

I had just left my accountant's office and was driving to dinner with my daughter, Kellie, when my accountant called to let me know that I would be getting more on my federal tax return than he had thought. In fact, I would be getting $2,539 more. The 'normal' person would be ecstatic. I haven't been normal in 907 days.

© 2011 by Jennifer M. Karn

PostSecret

When I drive, I fantasize about being in a bad car accident and dying so that death will keep me from suffering any longer.

Sunday 2/6 PostSecret

© 2011 by Jennifer M. Karn

Kevin's 43rd birthday, or what should've been

Today is Kevin's birthday. He was supposed to be 43. Instead, he forever remains 40. My heart is very heavy. I'm struggling. I miss him terribly. I never would've thought that instead of singing happy birthday and eating his favorite date nut cake we'd be crying and aching and longing for him. This is his third birthday that we haven't been able to celebrate with him. I'm still in shock. Tears fall quietly down my cheeks. My throat stings. I try to focus on the joyous event of his birth, but I can't help but fixate on the tragedy of his death.

He was a wonderful, loving person who made people smile. His deep voice and laugh permeated through the air. Never did he have a mean thing to say. It wasn't in his genes to be vicious or hateful. Everything about him screamed kindness, love, sincerity and thoughtfulness. I find it horribly cruel that such a man was torn from his family and cheated of his right to live. Cheated of his right to raise his children. Cheated of his right to continue to do good in this world of bad.

I will never understand why this happened and it will likely haunt me for the rest of my life, however long that may be. Life slowly gets a little easier each day and some days are simply easier than others. I have no idea if twenty years from now the pit will be gone from my stomach or if it will always linger in some fashion. Either way, I will love my amazing husband until I am laid to rest with him.

And rest I will not, until then.

Post from Kevin's 42nd birthday.

© 2011 by Jennifer M. Karn