My grandmother turned 99 this past July. It seems a rare gift being 51, to still have her around. My father is 81, my mother 73 and more and more of the people I hold dear are now in their golden years. I am very grateful to have them still in my life, because although no one likes to talk about it, they won’t live forever. Nor will I. Lately, I’ve had some deep conversations about life and legacy. I think as we get older, we start to think about how our legacy will live on after we’re gone. How will we be remembered? For some, there will be a grand accomplishment that has their name attached to it. Perhaps they wrote a book or created an amazing piece of art. Others will leave their wealth or possessions which may hold sentimental value to the recipient. Some may bequeath an endowment or trust bearing their name such as a scholarship or conservancy. But for many of us, our mark on this earth will be simple and maybe only remembered by a few.
I recently attended a ‘celebration of life’ for the spouse of a dear friend. As I sat and listened to loved ones commemorate his life, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the number of people that were present. Quite literally, the entire town had shown up. This man’s story at the surface seemed simple. He had worked, married, raised children, widowed, married again, volunteered and loved dogs. As I listened and watched, the thing that became apparent to me, was that this man very clearly ‘showed up’ again and again. He showed up for his kids. He showed up for his late wife when she was ill. He showed up for his dog and actually all of the dogs he ever met. He showed up for his now widow before and after their home washed into the river. And he showed up repeatedly for his community. He showed up for the Flowering Bridge. He spent hours just being there. He did this in spite of his hardships. This is his legacy. Danny Holland’s presence made people feel special and seen. He helped build a community by fostering belonging and trust. Wow. It is such a simple, but profound gesture to just be there and to be kind and make people feel like they belong.
As I continued to survey those gathered, I wondered why each person had shown up. Had they been close to Danny? Were they there for his wife, Alice? Were they showing up for the community? Their church? It made me realize that I had showed up because I wanted to be there for Alice, I wanted to be a part of my community and to honor a man whose reputation was to be revered. But regardless of the reason, the showing up was what truly mattered.
What does showing up look like? It’s being available. It’s easy to show up for the fun stuff and for the accolades, but perhaps more important to show up for the hard and the routine. How can we show up for our kids? Our spouses? Our friends? Our community? Whether it’s just listening or offering to be there. It’s the simple gesture of presence that matters. It’s about connecting. Showing up doesn’t just happen without intention and effort. Sometimes we’re too busy or too tired, or we simply just don’t feel like it. Maybe we don’t realize just how much our presence could have an impact. Overcoming the obstacles is part of the gift of showing up. By setting the intention, we begin to create the pathway for showing up more.
I have a yoga studio and someone once said to me, I love how the yoga teachers take each other’s classes. I love it, too. It’s a simple way that we show up for one another. But it’s also a way that show up for ourselves. Whether it’s the self-care of a yoga class or taking time to write, pray, reflect or purposefully breathe (I am breathing in. I am breathing out.), showing up matters. It can be taking a hike, a relaxing hot bath or reading a book. Showing up for others may be a text or phone call just checking in, baking or cooking for someone, going for a walk together, coming to an event or simply offering to be present for whatever reason.
The more we show up for ourselves, our families, friends and others in our community, the more connected we become. And connection fosters belonging, and belonging fosters happiness, and happiness fosters wellness, and wellness eases suffering. All of this by just showing up. Wow! It begs the question…..How will you show up for yourself, for others and for your community in the New Year 2026? What will your intention or resolution to show up more, look like?
As those in attendance gathered for the interment of Danny’s ashes, we stood at that hillside church cemetery in Bat Cave, overlooking the river and the mountains. Autumn had also shown up, in her full glory. It truly may have been the most beautiful day I can remember with red leaves, a soft breeze and dappled sunlight. If we all could have such a splendid day to be laid to rest, surrounded by all of those who simply decided to show up.
Carla Ann Drummond is the founder of Lake Lure Yoga (www.lakelureyoga.com), where she strives to hold space for peace, healing, breath and to inspire belonging in her community.
