Day 24: How do I want to be remembered?

The Mission Statement:  Day 1 (based on Creating a New Mission Statement from the New York Times)

The first question on the list is "How do you want to be remembered?" or as I like to think of it, "What do you want written on your tombstone?"

When I first read this question my first thought was that I wanted to be remembered as someone who was kind, well liked and nice.  My next thought was, "Really?  That's it?"

Here lies Spinster Jane.  She was nice. 

It's not that those are bad things to be remembered for but are they really what I want to strive for?  I'd say yes to being remembered as kind, there is not enough kindness in the world and most of the time being kind isn't difficult. But the others.  I mean do I want to be remembered as well liked or would I rather be remembered as someone who did what was right even if it was not the most popular choice?  There are certainly times that standing up for what you believe in requires some modicum of "not-niceness."

So yes, I want to be remembered as someone who was kind.  And yes, I want to be remembered for doing the right thing even when it was not easy, or the most popular choice.  I also want to be remembered as someone who pursued her dreams, who persevered despite doubt and uncertainty, and showed great strength when it was needed. I want to be remembered as someone who was loving and generous.  I want to be remembered as brave.  I want to be remembered as some one who threw fabulous dinner parties.  I want to be remembered as being someone who was infinitely interesting and never, ever dull.  I want to be remembered as being honest.

That's a bit of a mouthful (and a brainful) and it certainly won't fit on a tombstone.  It's also a heck of a lot to live up to if I want to be remembered as all of these things. 

Tomorrow's question is "How do you want people to describe you?"