What I Want My Legacy to Be: A Life Rooted in Compassion and Love

By Laura Johnstone

Legacy. It’s a big word, isn’t it? It sounds like something reserved for kings and queens, for politicians and poets, for people whose names will be etched in history books. But I believe we all leave a legacy—every single one of us—through the way we love, the way we live, and the way we treat those around us.

When I think about my own legacy, I don’t want it to be measured by awards or titles. I want people to say, “Laura made people feel seen. She helped others when they felt alone. She showed love when the world felt cold.”

I want my legacy to be compassion—not just as a word, but as an action. I want to be remembered as someone who sat with others in their pain, who didn’t try to fix everything, but simply showed up with empathy and understanding. Whether that’s been supporting parents in NICU, helping neurodiverse families navigate the maze of systems, or simply being a shoulder to cry on, I hope I’ve made a difference.

I want to be remembered for love—not just romantic love, but the fierce, protective, vulnerable kind. The kind of love that holds your hand when you’re scared. The kind of love that fights for better care, better access, better understanding—for our babies, our children, and ourselves.

And I want to be remembered for helping others. If just one parent feels less alone because of something I’ve written or shared, if one child feels celebrated instead of shamed because of their differences, then I know my life has meant something.

To the mums still in the trenches, to the families fighting for their children to be seen and supported, to the ones navigating grief and joy side-by-side—I see you. And if I can use my voice, my story, and my experiences to shine a light in those dark places, that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.

Call to Action:

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References:

Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity): https://www.sands.org.uk NHS: Supporting parents in NICU – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/premature-babies/support/ National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk

What is the legacy you want to leave behind?