Of course, people are your legacy -- in several senses. First, their is your progeny. Second, there are the people whom you have influenced directly during your lifetime. They, in turn will influence others withe some of the thoughts you have generated or passed on, and it never ends as long as the human species exists. Finally, if you have written a lot expressing your ideas and shared those writings widely, people will be influenced by what you have said in writing.

As a person who has tried to live a good, helpful life, as a high school teacher, as a teacher educator, as an educational staff developer focusing on improving teaching, learning and school leadership, as an educational writer, and as a school administrator, I don't worry about my legacy. I do sometimes wonder how widely my influence has spread.

It is, I feel the same way.... my two daughters and my son. My Evolution, the rest is Crapola. So you set up the right path for them and they will carry on your legacy after you are gone.

You undervalue yourself. Even if your name is mis-remembered or not remembered at all, you have touched many lives in countless ways. Did you hold a door for someone? Were you pleasant to an underpaid cashier? People take those brief moments of feeling appreciated back into the lives around them and so on ...

I backpacked for 4 days in the wilderness. Most folks bring a tent, food , water, the essentials to last 4 days. My pack weighed about 40 pounds. I added 5 more pounds by including my black stiletto heels. I left them on a chair we made out of rocks. I carved "memories were made here."
It blew my partners mind that I was able to make an incredibly sexy memory for years to come. He still talks about it. So to whomever found my shoes.. I hope it inspired you to live outside the box. Left a Racey legacy of sorts.

I know I've influenced a lot of people, for better or worse.
Still do, I think.
Other than that I've no desire to be remembered.

I've been thinking about this, too, lately. Mainly because I am so compelled to write in journals. A question on here actually led me to look at all the journals I keep, and I'm asking myself. why? You know, and writing about that in my journal. Because my life is not - well, okay, my life COULD be considered very interesting. Not at the present moment. But not any more so than many others' lives, and honestly, I'm sure my kids will just toss my journals when I die.

And yet, when I see a blank page, I get all excited at the possibilities!