A Legend with a Legacy…

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This last Sunday, my husband Harry and I had the honor of attending probably the most memorable Memorial Service we have ever been to. We were gathered to honor the life of Mr. Ray Watson, father-in-law of my dear friend and TOG business partner, Julie Watson.

 Mr. Watson’s career accomplishments were so humongous that I am challenged by what needs priority mention on this post. He was honored with the following accolades, just to name a few:

     Visionary. Modern Renaissance Man. Gifted Architect. Teacher. Astute Leader. The Giant Man (by Disney). Uncommon Man and Regular Guy. Forward Thinking (his motto was “Why Not!”). And my favorite, HUMANIST — one who shows strong interest and concern for humanity.

 We were moved and inspired by the tribute that each speaker gave him as a dedicated family man. However, it was hard to hold back tears with the adulation with which his children honored him. This IS the love that we too want to leave with our kids. Nothing would honor our lives more than hearing our children validate our love for them in this way. This is what we took away and what we will emulate in our own lives…

 Here, in their own words, are some of the life lessons this legend has left as a legacy for his family (and, I felt, for all of us parents that were in the audience):

 “My father believed that LIFE IS BLENDED; work and family; family and work… THIS IS THE WHOLE OF LIFE.”

 “Family was at the summit of his priorities. His success was through the closeness of his family.”

 “Love your family FIRST, LAST and CENTRALLY.” 

“My father has taught me INDEPENDENCE and SELF RELIANCE.”

 “He encouraged us to TRUST OURSELVES AND BE UNDERSTANDING OF OTHERS.”

 “My Father said, ‘Home is where you hang your hat, but LOVE IS TRULY IN YOUR HEART.’”

I don’t know if I can be the kind of legend that Mr. Watson Sr. was but I do know I want to leave the kind of legacy he exemplifies…through my children.