A Summer Legacy: Living with a Servant Heart
Hello and happy summer! 🌞
It’s that sweet time of year again—popsicles, swimming, and the joy of unscheduled days. There’s something about summer that always brings back the simplicity of childhood. I find myself remembering sticky fingers from melting popsicles, long bike rides until dusk, and time that stretched on forever with family close by.
Over the years our many moves have given us opportunities to road trip across states. Many times we made the journey from Texas to Tennessee. Along the way, we would stop in the small town of Port Gibson, Mississippi, to stay with my Aunt Emma in her beautiful antebellum home. It was me, my two boys, and of course, our faithful Golden Doodle, Sumner, piling into this whirlwind of memories and meaning.
But this May held something unexpected. Aunt Emma passed away at 86— doing what she loved most: running her local newspaper, The Reveille. Many of you know that Do Good Now began as a tribute to my dad and it is no surprise that my Aunt Emma (my dad’s youngest sister) also reflected a ‘Do Good’ life. As we gathered to celebrate her life, it became so clear that Emma’s true legacy wasn’t just in the articles she published or the historic home she cared for—it was in her servant heart.
Emma loved deeply. She served wholeheartedly. Whether it was through a meal, a kind word, or an article shining light on someone’s story, she gave her time and energy to others without expectation. Her life was a quiet yet powerful testimony that being present, being kind, and meeting the needs of others—whatever those needs were—is the most lasting legacy we can leave behind.
As I reflect on her life during this season of memory and freedom, I can’t help but wonder: What if we all lived a little more like Aunt Emma? With eyes open to the needs around us, hearts willing to serve without spotlight, and the belief that small acts of love are never wasted.
This summer, may we make space not just for fun and rest, but also for reflection. May we take time to practice a servant heart—in our homes, our neighborhoods, and wherever the road takes us. Find YOUR way to Do Good Now!
Because in the end, what we leave behind isn’t just memories, it’s the love we gave away.