Legacy #5

This quote from American actress, Doris Day (pictured), go me thinking:

“The really scary thing about middle age is the knowledge that you will grow out of it.”

According to CNN, some brief facts about her:

• 1922 – She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• 1937 – With a serious leg injury, she concentrated on sining 0ver dancing.
• 1940-1941 and 1943-1946 – Tours with Les Brown and his band.
• 1947 – Signs a contract with Columbia Records.
• 1948 – Film debut in “Romance on the High Seas.”
• 1952-1953 – Host of “The Doris Day Show” on radio.
• 1956 – Sings “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” in the Hitchcock thriller “The Man Who Knew Too Much.”
• 1956- The song reaches number two on American Billboard Hot 100 chart and sells millions of copies.
• 1956 – “Que Sera Sera’ wins an Oscar for songwriters Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.
• 1959 – Stars in the romantic comedy “Pillow Talk” with Rock Hudson, and become lifelong friends.
• 1960 – Receives two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for recording and the other for movies.
• 1968-1973 – Stars in the television sitcom “The Doris Day Show.”
• 1976 – Day’s autobiography, “Doris Day: Her Own Story,” is released.
• 1978 – Founds the Doris Day Animal Foundation, a charity supporting animal rights and their advocates.
• 1987 – Founds the Doris Day Animal League, a nonprofit society for the humane treatment of animals.
• 1991 – Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from American Comedy Awards, with Jack Lemmon.
• 2004 – Is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President , George W. Bush.
• 2008 – Receives the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
• 2011 – At age 87, becomes the oldest female artist to enter the UK top ten charts with an album of brand new songs.
• 2012 – Becomes the oldest living artist (87) to reach Billboard’s Top 150 Music Chart, with her album “My Heart.”
• 2012 – Receives the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Career Achievement Award.
• 2012 – Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee for her recording of “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).”

The ability to be able to reinvent yourself, while staying true to yourself and passions, and while identifying and maximising what you are good at, appears to be a hallmark of individuals who have touched the world. My memories of Doris Day certainly are the light she brought into the world, particularly the “Doris Day Show” in the early 1970s.

And when her popularity started to change, she became an advocate for the safe and humane treatment of animals. Some people would think to themselves they had been fortunate to have a good run, and can just slither off into the future, but this was not enough for Doris Day. 

She still had light to bring to the world, being awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.

For most artists, to consider a new album at the age of 87 would be unthinkable, but in true Doris Day style, she did just that, finding success both in the UK and the USA. We as the world, it would seem, still had a place for her, and probably always will have in our hearts. She did not have to try, the world resonated with her.

This inspirational story of Doris Day, who certainly left a legacy, has got me thinking about my own.

In fact before we get to the point, how does this concept of legacy get there in the first place? Is it because we want to be remembered, or more importantly, how we want to be remembered.

At the age of 56, legacy has certainly crept in there for me. 

A weird feeling, perhaps.

And how is this legacy going to be remembered? Will I go around saying ‘look at me and the legacy I am leaving,’ which for most would be off putting and perhaps not the legacy I would want to leave.

Or maybe in a small way, for people’s lives to become richer and full of hope, because I have been able to resonate with them. I don’t know how this happens; maybe best not to think about it too much.

My hope, when they talk about me at my funeral will be in amongst all of my failings (which become querks), will be those who have been enouraged along the way.

I suppose in this small way, legacy will remain.

What about you?

The commentary in this blog is intended to be general in nature. It is just some observations from one fellow traveller in life to another. If anything in this blog raises issues for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or consult with a trusted medical professional.  

Photo courtesy of https://www.biography.com/actor/doris-day

Material source https://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/24/us/doris-day-fast-facts/index.html