By MaryEllen Tribby

I often receive incredibly humbling comments about my work. Sometimes these comments are in regards to my books, Reinventing the Entrepreneur: Turning Your Dream Business into a Reality or Changing the Channel: 12 Easy Ways to Make Millions for Your Business. Other times folks are referring to The Success Indicator, Content Profit Machine or Inbox Empire. Moreover folks mention the countless essays I have written for Working Moms Only or The CEO’s Edge.

Frankly sometimes these comments almost make me uncomfortable because of their high praise. And when I say high praise, I mean it. Some say I have changed their lives; others tell me I have given them their second chance. While others tell me I have created a legacy through my work.

I am exceedingly grateful. Not just for the comments but for the honor of being able to do so and to help others.

However, when I think about my legacy, my instincts are not directed to my work. Rather, my instincts immediately soar and land on my children.

I am blessed and honored along with my hubby to be able to raise and guide these children as I believe they are my imprint on the world. I believe wholeheartedly that these three kids will indeed make the world a better, more humane place. And to some extent already have. I am unbelievably proud of their compassion, kindness and innate ability to make others laugh.

Legacy Moments

I also believe building a legacy takes years. That it does not happen in one large chunk of work, instead it is a lifetime of moments intermingled.

I experienced such a moment recently.

I have shared before that all three of my kids are elite athletes who have dreams of either playing their sport in college or professionally.

I remember when Delanie, my then 10-year-old, played in a tennis tournament. She played USTA girls 12’s as she was winning the 10’s, and we wanted to give her tougher competition. But what we did not prepare her for was some of the unethical conduct that takes place on the court.

You see tennis is self-monitored. Unlike baseball, basketball, lacrosse, football, soccer and softball which have a referee, an official or an umpire on the field/court the entire time to make the official calls, tennis does not. In the junior level and even in some college tournaments, the players on the court make the calls.

These players are expected to be honest and fair.

Unfortunately honesty does not always prevail. And this tournament was a prime example. Delanie played against an 11-year-old girl who was an obvious cheater.

I gave this kid the benefit of the doubt, as I hate calling an 11-year-old a cheater. However it was soon unmistakable that this kid was going to lie and cheat wherever she could to obtain points. And to make matters worse her father sat there clapping. Other parents saw what was happening and were appalled. It was clear to see that “The Cheater’s” behavior stems from her parents and this actually made me feel sorry for the young girl.

The complexities of the USTA world are too great to go into here. But I will share that Delanie lost that match and cried in the car on the way home.

Once I calmed her down, I came to learn that she was not crying due to the loss of the match, but because of the lack of honor and humanity her opponent had for the game.

Delanie’s exact words to me were, “Mom, the only way that girl is ever going to win is by cheating. I am never going to cheat – I love this game too much!”

Delanie’s passion and integrity will continue to play an integral part in her and I am grateful for that.

And with my birthday this week and I reflect on my life, it is apparent to me that I have had thousands of legacy moments with the preponderance of them relating to my kids.