LEGACY

Over my life I put a lot of thought to what I want to be remembered for. What I want my legacy to be.

My early life was as misguided and aimless as most. Not much to be proud of other than I got through it.

When I made the decision to attend culinary school at 34, and had my children at nearly 40, my life took on considerable meaning and purpose. It wasn’t just about me anymore. For the first time in my life I had a true love and passion for my work and two humans to nurture and care for.

So now at nearly 63, my children are adults (just turning 23), both college graduates, and attending grad school. My self-made, independent food career as a chef, cooking teacher and international culinary travel operator has successfully spanned over 25 years.

Since I’ve come out, my priorities have dramatically changed. I’ve been given the rare opportunity to reevaluate my entire life, my goals and purposes. Of course I want to be known as a caring and loving friend; as a concerned, giving world citizen, and contributor to the fabric of this life.

My writing has become a priority and taken on an urgency as I have so much to say and not as much time ahead of me as behind me. As I posted recently, “Writing isn’t about applause. It’s about leaving pieces of yourself for someone else to find.” I created a lot of “pieces” in the last 2 years.

I may never get around to writing that book I’ve promised myself and my friends and followers (although I definitely have volumes to share), but I’m proud of the content I’ve published on social media, particularly on Threads and here on Substack. If nothing else, these writings will live on beyond me. Hopefully providing insights and inspiration for those reading about my journey: my early struggles; my search for purpose and meaning, my positive role as a dad, and of course my “coming out later in life.”

So the last of my chapters, of building my lasting legacy begins here. Hopefully I can inspire and entertain, and also live up to my own exceedingly high expectations before I run out of time.