LEGACY
Word of the Week by Jasia Jarrett, GMC Prep Cadet
The word “legacy” has many definitions. Legacy is “a candidate for membership in an organization (such as a school or fraternal order) who is given special status because of a familial relationship to a member.” Yet another definition for legacy is “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or [from] the past.” This definition for the word stands out to me the most. I, Jasia Jarrett, am a part of many legacies that have drawn a path for my life even before I was born. I am one of many in my grandparents’ great legacy. I am a Jarrett. My last name is well-known in my community. My grandparents, Barry and Jeanie Jarrett, have worked incredibly hard to pave the way for their children and their grandchildren to be as successful as we can be. I have to work extremely hard to live up to this legacy. I will never forget all of the stories that I have heard about when my “Granny” first opened her flower shop. She still gets overly excited telling stories about her harrowing leap of faith that has resulted in her flower shop still remaining open after more than thirty-five years. I remember thinking, as a young child that someday that flower shop, my granny’s flower shop, would one day be mine. I would finally be living up to my grandmother’s legacy and keep it going for many generations to come.
Another definition of legacy deals with the legacy of a family continuing to be a part of an organization. My mother, Tonya Jarrett, is a graduate from the number one historically black college in the nation, Spelman College, along with my grandmother and great aunt. I am a part of that wonderful legacy. It has always been a dream of mine that I am accepted into Spelman and embark on my career path. I am determined to make my mother and grandmother proud of me and doing that will just be the start of many things to come.
Legacies are not just something passed down in one’s family like old clothes or a car. Legacies have meanings behind them. Legacies are something that you love, something that you are working towards and that you are passionate about; legacies are something that make you not want to give up until your true destination, your true legacy has been fulfilled. Legacy, to me, means family and success. The love and the encouragement of your loved ones make your destiny, your legacy a reality.
