Meaningless Meanderings

A Legacy

When time becomes short, humans find the time to pass things to the next generation. Grandmothers leave money to their grandchildren while father's leave tools to their children, both hoping that the meager gift they give will change the future of the recipient. This idea is not only confined to death. Neighbors give partings gifts of furniture, former lovers give one last gift in hopes of repairing what was lost, an students pass books to the next generation of the potentially educated. The idea that objects and knowledge should be passed on is not uncommon, but the event that causes a legacy to be passed on can be rather strange.

I have been a student of Lock Haven University for five years. In those five years, I have gained a great deal of knowledge, received the gift of inspiration, garnered a collection of books, and found insight into my life. Five years of work, of changes I helped cause, and the knowledge of which I can pass on is my legacy.

Now, time is running short. Graduation is only a week away, and the idea of passing on this legacy is daunting. But I am not worried, as most of my gift has already been passed on not by physical delivery, but through the action of acquiring that legacy.

Within these five years, I've helped move things forward. I've taken small campus organizations and brought more into their ranks, allowing these groups to function long after I am gone. By asking questions and researching the possibilities, I've brought new hope for the International Studies program in Nara, Japan. Through working at the library, I've trained next students who will take my place and finish the projects that I started or influenced. Alongside my professors and peers, I've done my part in paving the way for university students to gain writing experience by working with the Lock Haven Express, whether through a blog or for writing an article for a holiday. With this combined effort, we've taken another step to removing that “line” that separates the “University Community” with the “Local Community.”

To my friends, I have given books and notes of my experiences. To my peers, I have given hope and support. To my professors, I have given inspiration and shown the potential of the student body. To you, my readers, I have given an insight to the mind of a student, a world traveler, and an aspiring writer.

What the recipients do with my gifts is something beyond my control. All I can do is hope that what I have given will change someone's life for the better.