After having written about being “great” and sharing my remembrances of my grandparents I did begin to think a bit more about all of that. Then I received a message on Facebook messenger containing a link about Robert Redford and his final words before passing. It was quite a touching story and made me think. My first thought was, I hope I can go with such dignity. Mr. Redford left a body of work behind being a Hollywood star of considerable note. I wonder did he leave a record of his thoughts behind? I think of these blogs of mine as just that, a simple record of my thoughts.

I wonder now how history will judge me. Granted my history will be an obscure one I’m certainly not well known or recognized by more than a few close friends and relatives. I’m quite certain I will never be quoted, use as a reference for wisdom. The reality of that being I hold no degrees, no fame, no fortune, just another voice in the wind. Still, it is my hope that my descendants find and read these postings. Will I be viewed as a “hero” or “villain?”

What I’m thinking about is how in recent years my childhood “heroes” have been exposed to be less than what I was taught. Those founding fathers, they held slaves and were misogynistic! Terrible people by todays standards. John Wayne has come under attack as a racist, in fact, I’m told all us white people are like that, it’s systemic to our entire form of governance. Our constitutional Republic should be replaced with a straight up Democracy! It’s only fair.

So, I am thinking about that. How will I be judged and viewed? I am indeed a product of my times, of my environment, and my experiences. So were all those heroes of mine from the past. I have to say, we didn’t have quite as many heroes as today, where almost everyone is a hero of some type. In my day you really had to do something heroic, something more than just having participated. Becoming a hero wasn’t a volunteer thing, you had to earn that title.

Beyond all of that my thoughts have turned to what words could I leave for my descendants. I’m not talking about my children, grandchildren or great grandchild, they will all have known me personally, in real time. I’m thinking about those that will only hear the stories, and possibly read my words. What could I write to them? My grandparents were born in the 19th century and their experiences were certainly quite different from my own. Now I’m living in the 21st century with 20th century attitudes and beliefs. Many of them are contrary to the current times.

I’m standing fast in my 20th century beliefs! I’m told, by some, that I need to change. I will not. Yes, I’m set in my ways, confident in my answers and adamant that I am correct. Some call it being stubborn or ignorant. I am resisting progress. I question just how much progress has really been made? This 21st century isn’t anything like I was told it would be, given all the progress that has supposedly been made. No, people have remained pretty much the same, not much progress in that regard.

Whatever society allows becomes the “right” thing and whatever was “forbidden” in the past should have been allowed. Given time, everything comes back around. My great grandfather told me that, so did my father and now I’m telling you. Maybe that is the only message I can leave. The sins of the father shall be visited upon the son. I do believe in that whole concept. Choose wisely what “progress” you adopt, popularity today isn’t worth much forty years later. In fact, that “popularity” could get you judged as a very bad person.