Living into Legacy

Today is my paternal grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary.

60 years ago, Danny Cocanower and Bonnie Constable said “I do” and committed their lives together until death do they part.

Like most couples who say “I do,” they had no clue what the next 60 years would look like, let alone the next 60 days.

It’s days like today that make you reflect and look back on the moments and the memories that have come to define their history and the life that they have lived.

I have been significant’y blessed that I have enjoyed so many vibrant years with all of my grandparents to hear those stories, all those learnings, and the bits that lead into their legacy today.

When I think back and reflect on what defined my grandparents, the phrase that keeps coming up is, “they were there.”

To me - it has shaped their legacy and their impact on our family.

I grew up with this as the norm. Being there was part of being part of the family.

When Uncle Mike had a wrestling match - they were there - and so were we (at least I have distant memories of being there.).

When I needed watched because little bro was being born - they were there - and they took me to Old Country Buffet - which was a big positive. :-)

When we had games - even if we weren’t starting or playing every down or every out - they were there.

When we had concerts - even if they didn’t like below average classical music - they were there.

When we had birthdays - even if they weren’t the biggies - they were there.

When we had special events - they were there.

And that was in my adolescence. But the phrase remains the same today.

When I am asked to preach - they are there.

When we celebrate special birthdays - they are there.

When we are taking a family boat ride - they are there.

When there is something going on - they are there.

When they lived in Florida for those 17 years, there was something that was different about that season. Sure, we could call and facetime and travel down to visit. But there was something missing.

Being able to interface, face-to-face, hug, eat together, all of those things that had always come to be constant and consistent.

One of the things about legacy is that it often is birthed in intentionality but becomes our natural propensity because it evolves to be our default behavior. It becomes a defining character of our normal.

I’m so grateful that I have enjoyed the fruit of that legacy as it continues to be lived out in front of me in the lives of my grandparents. Just this past Sunday - they were there.

For 38 years of my life, I have been able to trust that they will be there.

Grandma and Grandpa Cocanower - Happiest of Anniversaries on this very special one. You are a shining example of consistent and constant devotion to being there; for each other and for us. Thank you for saying “I do” 60 years ago and for 21,914 days after that.

I love you. Thank you for living out your legacy so well.