Generational Love

Economic and political pundits like to talk about generational cycles of wealth and poverty. But, I'd like to add a more important generational cycle to that list (and it doesn't cost a thing)—generational love.

I am lucky enough to have inherited a great sum of generational love from a very special lady—my Grandma Betty. Betty was in many ways what I aspire to be: kind, loving, classy, and funny. She was a hard-worker, a great mom, and an amazing grandma.

Grandma and I had a special bond from the start. I was her first grandchild, and she and I had, in some ways, similar dispositions. But I know I'm not the only one who felt so deeply loved by her. Her children, her husband, her daughter- and son-in-law, her nieces and nephews, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her friends, and even the women who cared for her in the last years of her life at the nursing home felt loved by Betty. It was the unanimous sentiment shared at her memorial service.

Betty left the greatest legacy anyone can hope to leave—a world better for her being in it. Because she understood the importance and power of love.

I can tell you that I know in my bones I am a loved person, because of Betty. And not just because of her love, but the way she raised my father to be. And, how that impacted his relationship with my mother. And, how that affected the way I was raised. Which in turn affects my relationship with my own children.

Her powerful love filled the "emotional accounts" of three generations after her—so far. I know her legacy will extend even further into the future.

The other day my 6-year-old son looked at me and said,"I wish Grandma Betty didn't go to heaven. She did a lot of nice things for me...I miss her."

I do too. But I am a lucky person to have been loved the way I was when she was here and for the "inheritance" she left me.