We wake up, get work, go back home and rinse and repeat – or at least it feels that way sometimes. In truth, there are a million moments in between where we interact with others and we can’t help but wonder what folks will think about us once we aren’t showing up, perhaps once we are gone. Some very thoughtful members of the community share their thoughts on this with us below.
Tammy Adcock
I hope the story people tell about me is centered on my children — that they remember how often I spoke about them, how proud I was of who they are, and how fiercely I fought for them throughout their entire childhood. Read more>>
Michael Clark
Hopefully, my Legacy. I didn’t get married or have children so the only thing I can leave this world is my legacy. I try to make sure I speak of my history appropriately. Read more>>
lisa austin
Lisa always says “mind your ripple” and it’s very true. The things that we do in this lifetime go on through the waves of time infinitely and I would hope the music that I make and the things that we’ve created will continue beyond the existence of our bodies on this planet. Read more>>
Ashley Ephraim
In the end, the impact that I make will be correlated with the stories that are told about me. The stories told about me that matter the most, will be the stories told by those closest to me. My wife, my 4 sons, my friends. Those are the stories that matter the most. Read more>>
K-MARIE
That’s a deep question. I would hope people remember the way I loved them — how I listened, how I was there when they had a hard day, how I made time for what truly mattered, especially family. I would want my daughter to always know how deeply I loved her, with my whole heart and soul. Read more>>
Kellina Powell
I hope people tell a story about a woman who turned her challenges into her greatest strengths—someone who never allowed hearing loss to define her limits, but instead used it to open doors for others. I want to be remembered as a leader who made people feel seen, valued, and capable of achieving more than they ever believed possible. Read more>>
Jason Fitzgerald
I hope people recognize my love for the sport of running and how I wanted to elevate the sport by elevating runners’ performances. Nothing gave me greater joy than experiencing progress as a runner and now as a coach, it’s one of the best parts of my job! Read more>>
Molly Vee
I have a fantasy of people hanging out at my funeral telling stories about me and laughing. I assume most people would want that. I got a tiny glimpse of it at my bridal shower where everyone went around the room and talked about how we met and became friends. Read more>>
Jacquelynn Cotten
I hope people say, “She was as real as it gets, funny as hell, so down to earth, and always made me feel loved.” Read more>>
Charles Berger
I hope that the memories of me are filled with laughter and kindness. I would rather my children remember me as someone who was always willing to help others, than just a good businessman. Read more>>
Corisha Jack
I hope others will see that my presence was more than just a being in life having a magical experience. But in fact I was an individual who represented GOD’s love and energy to help others find themselves by observing my movements. Read more>>
Trish Clark
She was passionate about Rescue – A great wife & Mom- Had many friends that loved her. She was funny as heck & so fun to be with !! Read more>>
Musa Andrews
That I did everything Went through hell just to entertain people. I was an ambivert. I don’t like being human Food is to die for cuz I can’t get enough. I love too much violence in movies or where ever. Read more>>
Annette Higgins
That my destiny was to bring joy, beauty, and happiness to this world through my art. Read more>>
Sarah Lauch
That I would do anything for anyone that needed help. I have given so much of my money,time and heart to causes and to people that needed help. I am not rich. I am barely middle class. I am making less than I made when I moved to Chicago in 2004 because my heart is in helping people. Read more>>
Nore Salman
I hope people say that I helped them remember who they really are. That I didn’t just teach strategies or offer advice, but that I held a mirror that allowed them to see their own strength, wisdom, and capacity for love. Read more>>
Crystal Romero
I hope my daughters continue to tell the story of how I stood up for others just as Yvette Benavidez keeps her father, Medal of Honor recipient MSG Roy Benavidez’s legacy alive. My life as a soldier and an advocate has always been about protecting people who couldn’t protect themselves. Read more>>
Fatima Camara
When I am gone, I hope people remember my brand 10,000 Threads and the stories it carry. I hope they remember my resilience while building this brand and the legacy of African artisans involved in our production. Most importantly, I hope they remember that you can achieve anything you put your mind to with a hard work and dedication. Read more>>
Mary Ann Tooker
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who lived with a kind heart and stood tall in who she was. A person who showed up, gave generously, and helped others without needing recognition. I want to be remembered for honesty, for standing by those I love, and for always choosing compassion over cruelty. Read more>>
Tre’Sean Durham
They’d say you were a man who showed up — not just for yourself, but for everybody you loved and everything you believed in. A father who led with love and intention. A creative who didn’t just take pictures — you told stories, gave people confidence, and helped them see themselves in a light they never knew they had. Read more>>
S.P. Lowe
I think about this a lot. It is one of the reasons I decided to publish my writing. I wanted to leave something behind that I created. To quote Hamilton, “Legacy, What is a legacy? Read more>>
Enrico Napoletano
What a beautiful question — and, coincidentally, I was reflecting on something very similar just yesterday. I would like those who remember me to hold on to the joyful part of who I am, my simplicity, and my way of projecting beauty even in what seems fleeting. Read more>>
Jimi Yamagishi
That Jimi was a good guy & helped however he could. Read more>>
Gabrielle Ringler
That I worked hard, laughed along the way, loved genuinely and gave my children a childhood they will not have to recover from. Read more>>
Cristal Ortiz
I aspire to be remembered as someone who dedicated their life to serving and helping others. Read more>>
Sonia Daptardar
I hope people tell the story of a girl who spent her life trying to make other people feel seen, heard, and loved. Someone who used every platform she was given to lift up her community and create opportunities for people who didn’t always have them. Read more>>
Kris Neri
I hope they say I was an excellent storyteller with an engaging imagination. I’d also like to know they’d say I cared about other people, treating them with kindness and compassion. Read more>>
Sam Craig
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I was a loving and caring man who truly lived out the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” I want to be remembered as a true man of YAH, someone who walked out his faith daily and let it shape every part of his life. Read more>>
Yasmin Elzomor
I hope people remember how I made them feel. My goal is to touch everyone’s soul in one way or another whether that’s through mentoring, dancing, my creativity, or just me being my full authentic self. To me, that’s legacy; making others feel safe and seen in your presence. Influence is shallow and doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t come with depth. Read more>>
Harry Waldman
That I lived my life to the fullest. Read more>>
remi jones
I hope the story people tell about me is one of courage, vision, and a heart committed to lifting others. I want to be remembered as someone who saw potential where others didn’t, who celebrated the unsung heroes, and who created spaces for people to rise, especially those who felt overlooked or unheard. Read more>>
Esther Sakyi
That I was a lover of all things Africa. Passionate about our culture, our people, and our stories. My goal was to highlight entrepreneurs and creatives, to tell our story, for us, and I did it with pride. Read more>>
Sabrina Wooten
I hope people will say that I lived with purpose, faith, and compassion. That I used my gifts to serve others, uplift my community, and leave every space better than I found it. I want my story to be one of integrity, perseverance, and love, a reminder that even small acts of kindness can create lasting impact. Read more>>
EE Jacks
I hope people will tell their own stories. Perhaps mine might be mildly interesting to some, but I suppose each epoch has its own validity and importance in terms of lessons for our future selves. Once upon a time, I rolled out of a moving car. I survived, obviously. I’ve also had my dabblings in a cult, (not by choice) which was supremely stifling. Read more>>
MaKinlie McRae
I hope people say I was generous to a fault. That I never hesitated to lend a hand or a listening ear when someone needed it most. I hope they remember my fierce loyalty, the fire that kept me moving forward even when the path was steep. That I was equal parts kind and intuitive, guided by both heart and instinct. Read more>>
Everay – Ewelina Borkowska
I hope people will say that I was someone who turned pain into purpose — that I used my voice and my music to help others find strength when they felt weak, and light when everything around them seemed dark. I want to be remembered as someone who stood for self-belief, resilience, and kindness. Read more>>
Martrice Brewer aka Spiritualnista
That I helped many people. I showed up for the world and those I love. Read more>>
Brent Broussard
This is a good question. If I had to sit and think about the story that people will talk about me when I’m gone, I would hope that it would be one where I strived to be the best person I was able to be. Read more>>
