Honoring Loss and Legacy
Loss touches all of us, whether it’s the opportunity that slipped away, a client who chose a different path, or a goal we didn’t quite reach. And, of course, there’s the deep, personal loss that life eventually brings to our doors. Loss may be inevitable, but it doesn’t define us. In the end, what defines us is how we live, how we love, and how we carry forward the legacy of those who taught us what truly matters.
Last Sunday, I laid my grandmother to rest, surrounded by nearly 50 loved ones, and shared these reflections on her legacy—a legacy of love and resilience. Here’s a piece of that story, one I hope will resonate with those of you on the journey of Holistic Entrepreneurship.
A Legacy of Love
“I watched a movie recently where the actor said, ‘We’re meant to lose the ones we love. How else are we supposed to know how much they meant to us?’ The words were poignant because I’d just been asked to speak at my grandmother’s service.
How do you capture a life of 95 years? You can’t, not fully. My words here don’t attempt to summarize her life; they simply try to describe her legacy.
What makes a woman great? Memorable? Is it in her accomplishments, or is it something deeper? My grandmother loved fiercely, spoke bluntly, lived bravely, and laughed contagiously. In 2020, I began calling her every Saturday as she isolated to protect her health. We’d talk about everything—life in Colombia, her love for my grandfather, and, of course, current events.
In all our conversations, one stood out. I asked her what drove her crazy about my grandfather. She replied, without hesitation, ‘Nothing. I loved everything about him. He was the perfect man for me.’ My grandparents were together nearly 59 years, and I know, without a doubt, that life brought its challenges. But she didn’t dwell on the hardships. She chose love, always.
This is my grandmother’s legacy—a life message that love is a choice. Love was who she was, and love is what she left behind. Thank you, Grandma, for teaching me what true love is.”
This legacy is one we can carry into our businesses and lives. Holistic Entrepreneurship isn’t just about reaching goals; it’s about how we choose to show up every day, especially in moments of loss. Every experience, even the painful ones, has a lesson if we’re willing to look for it. The next time you encounter a loss, let yourself feel it. Then, look for the love and the lesson. That’s where the growth lies.
And, if you haven’t called your grandma lately, maybe this is a nudge to do just that. 💟
