Hope & Legacy

It's about imprints.

Hope Matters

When we talk about legacy, many people think in terms of tangible things: trust funds, houses, land, etc. We believe only financially wealthy people can leave legacies. As a matter of fact one of the most financially wealthy women recently had something to say about this. Oprah was on the Sherri Show a few weeks ago, and she officially passed the baton to Sherri but not without talking about legacy. She referenced a conversation she’d had with her good friend, Maya Angelou. When Oprah’d told her she believed that her school in South Africa would be her greatest legacy, in true Maya-Angelou fashion, Oprah was told she didn’t know what her greatest legacy would be. Of course, she was right! Essentially, Oprah was told that her legacy would be every life she touched.

Less than a month ago, I lost one of my uncles. Dare I say he was a favorite. As with any personal loss, there’s going to be a hole left in my heart, but this was different. My heart was/is sadder than it’s been in a long time. He was the uncle/brother/friend everyone looked forward to seeing when he came home (He lived hundreds of miles away from our home state.). However, when I think of him, I have nothing but wonderful memories. As a matter of fact, everyone - from family to friends to colleagues to church family - has a Phil story. Most certainly, his penchant for mischief lives on in us all. 😆 He was a man who will always be remembered for his joy, zest for life, love of family and friends, and his love of the Lord. I write all of this as a means of soothing my soul but also to make this point. Our legacies are in the lives we touch.

Every day, as I go through life, my hope is that something I’ve said or done will have a positive impact on those I love, meet, and serve. Every week, as I send you this hopeletter, it is my prayer that something I’ve shared touches your heart or soul or causes you to reflect. No matter what I do, how much money I have, or whatever I build in this life', nothing matters more than the impact I’ll have on people.

Hope Buddies, as you go through life building things and measuring what you’ll leave, know that what you truly leave will be immeasurable. It’s up to you what the immeasurable reflects.

Place loads of hope in your legacy.

With love,

Parthenia ☕️

Coffee Matters

Coffee Buddies, one of the things on my list for 2024 that I didn’t share in last week’s hopeletter is that I plan to begin sharing videos with you all. Well, I figured I would need some cute mug with my logo or something about hope and coffee. As a crafter, ya girl got an idea.💡 So, I put my Cricut to work in an attempt to do some pseudo-engraving on a glass mug I already own, just to see how this would turn out. Here’s the result…

I entitled this video “Get somebody else to do it!” because I should! 🤦🏾‍♀️ This work will be outsourced to someone on Etsy. 😆

It was worth every bit of the time it took me to reverse-weed the vinyl, lay it on the mug, and attempt to use the Armour Etch to learn that this is NOT a thing I should be spending my time doing, when someone else is expert at it and has a laser etching machine. Know your limitations, use your time wisely, and ask for help when you need it.

So…

What are you hoping and sipping this week?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this hopeletter about my life and coffee. Please share with a friend who could use a little hope or coffee recommendation.