Clinton's legacy

Harry Loewen

As I reflect on that, I am reminded of Bill Clinton, president of the United States, who entered his second term of office with the intent of leaving a legacy by which he would be remembered in history.

The sad thing is that he has unwittingly left a legacy he would dearly love to change. Bill Clinton is only the second president in US history to have articles of impeachment laid against him by Congress, in this case, for obstruction of justice and perjury. Not only this, he faces several other charges once he leaves office; he cannot be tried on these now because his office grants him executive privilege until he leaves. When his grandchildren open their history books, the first thing they will probably see is that he was impeached by Congress, then the sex scandals he was involved in, and then, just maybe, some of his accomplishments. His grandchildren will most likely remember him for his numerous affairs, his constant trouble with the law and his inability to tell the truth.

It's a reminder that everything we handle today will leave fingerprints all over tomorrow.

In stark contrast, my grandfather left a legacy of good memories. He will never make the history books nor the encyclopedia, but he will be remembered by his children and grandchildren for the legacy he left us. I remember going to my grandparents' home for summer holidays as a young child. Each morning, we would get up early with Grandpa, collect eggs and feed the chickens. Then we would come into the house and sit at the breakfast table. Grandma would have breakfast ready for us, and we would read the Bible together and pray. Grandpa had a deep and abiding faith. I remember the times he spent teaching me how to paint the house and cut the grass with the old push lawn mower. I remember how he adored his wife and treated her with dignity and respect. I saw how he treated other women with purity and integrity. I remember his love and concern for his children and grandchildren; he wanted to see them grow up and be responsible citizens, people of integrity, people who loved God!

d. I saw the values he imparted to his three chosen children. I remember how he was loved and respected in the community and church as a loving, generous and honourable man. I watched him as he saw the love of his life die of a heart attack; we saw not only how he was crushed by her death, but also the resiliency of his faith. He left good fingerprints, and his children and grandchildren for generations to come will benefit by his life and values.

This made me think of my own legacy. What will my children and grandchildren remember me by? What kind of fingerprints will I leave behind? On a businessman's desk is this sign: "In 20 years, what will you wish you had done today? Do it now!"

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