Leaving Legacies

I did not know until recently that the founder of the "Reading is Fundamental" (RIF) program was Margaret McNamara. She had a passion for promoting reading among children. She knew the value that comes to children when they read a book that they personally own. The RIF program had a modest start in 1966. Today it is helping Children read, all over the country. In its quiet way, the legacy ofMargaret McNamara dwarfs the more visible contributions to the world of her husband Robert S. McNamara, who was secretary of defense in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. There are prominent leaders across our nation who told the story of owning their first RIF book and that changes it made in their outlook and in their lives.

The legacy of Andrew Carnegie it is more well known. The prominent steel industry tycoon also had a passion for books and libraries and the communities of America. Any observant trip across our country will discover Carnegie libraries in small towns and larger communities. Adjusted for inflation, Carnegie's fortune was every bit as large as the Bill Gates fortune. His legacy of community interest and improving the world is far more valuable than the number of dollars involved. Carnegie had a passion for helping people be the very best that they could be. His ideas and management concepts have truly shaped the modern world.

Nicholas, Bishop of Mira, has left an even bigger legacy. Nicholas lived in the fourth century of the common era. He was known for his generosity. When he was recognized as a saint of the church, it was his generosity that was to become the stuff of legends. Nicholas, saint of hopeless causes, is recognized on December 6th every year, but his legend has become linked with the giving of the Christmas season. Perhaps you think more of St. Nicholas under the modern twists of his name as Santa n'Klaus, or Santa Claus. His is a legend that inspires generosity beyond our greatest imaginations.

Again and again throughout life, I have heard it said that it is very important that we leave the world a better place that we found it. I guess that's what it means to leave a legacy.

I have come to appreciate the legacies, both big and small, that had meaning to the lives of the nations of our planet. The legacies that you and I leave behind a not last the nearly 1700 years of Nicholas of Mira. They may not last the century that has passed since Carnegie built his libraries. They may not last the decades since Margaret McNamara began making books available to children. It is however important that you and I share the gifts God has given us in ways that leave legacy's behind.

May we ponder our gifts and resolve in our hearts that the world will be a better place because we were here.