The word "Legacy" was on my mind this afternoon at the pool with our friends as I mulled over in my mind the myriad of news this week. Then I just read this amazing statement by Jenny Sandford in which she refers to her biggest accomplishment - Legacy. The Legacy of her four precious boys they are raising. Here is Jenny Sandford's statement she texted in an AP Release.
Its been a week Has it been a week for you too? We're plain summer-fun busy and then you mix in Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and should I say it... Gov. Mark Sanford. I so respect his wife, South Carolina's First Lady Jenny Sandford right now and her spirit and attitude. Not only is she South Carolina's First Lady, she is a classy lady. Read her words.
"I would like to start by saying I love my husband and I believe I have put forth every effort possible to be the best wife I can be during our almost twenty years of marriage. As well, for the last fifteen years my husband has been fully engaged in public service to the citizens and taxpayers of this state and I have faithfully supported him in those efforts to the best of my ability. I have been and remain proud of his accomplishments and his service to this state.
I personally believe that the greatest legacy I will leave behind in this world is not the job I held on Wall Street, or the campaigns I managed for Mark, or the work I have done as First Lady or even the philanthropic activities in which I have been routinely engaged. Instead, the greatest legacy I will leave in this world is the character of the children I, or we, leave behind. It is for that reason that I deeply regret the recent actions of my husband Mark, and their potential damage to our children.
I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband's infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.
This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage. During this short separation it was agreed that Mark would not contact us. I kept this separation quiet out of respect of his public office and reputation, and in hopes of keeping our children from just this type of public exposure. Because of this separation, I did not know where he was in the past week.
I believe enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will, and for a marriage to be successful, that commitment must be reciprocal. I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage.
Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord and children a reward from Him. I will continue to pour my energy into raising our sons to be honorable young men. I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance.
This is a very painful time for us and I would humbly request now that members of the media respect the privacy of my boys and me as we struggle together to continue on with our lives and as I seek the wisdom of Solomon, the strength and patience of Job and the grace of God in helping to heal my family."
An amazing lady and focus and love. As these have gone before this week, and as the Governor's family navigates the waters he charted... what Legacy are you leaving? What legacy am I leaving? It's something to ponder. Let's pray for others and our families as we see this in the media.
Happy Weekend!
Adding this to Hooked on Fridays because I want the world to know how classy and amazing Jenny Sandford is and may we pray, encourage and support them all at this time. .
Warmly,
She's being very strong & I admire her tremendously. I heard today that when asked about his career, she said, "I'm not worried about his career. He has to worry about that."
ReplyDeleteShe didn't realize that he had gone to Argentina this week & I'm sure that hurt. They need lots of prayers.
Hope your weekend is a little quieter on the news front.
The first lady is indeed a very strong woman. I do admire her strength in this most challenging situation. You can just sense the hurt in her words.
ReplyDeleteMy heart also goes out to their boys. With them being in the public eye, she is really doing everything possible right now to protect them and love them through all this.
This marriage and family, just like so many others in similar situations need our prayers today.
Thank you for sharing today and have a great weekend!
enjoyed this post. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteFYI, you got a bad link up for the Hooked on House event. I was able to get in, but you might want to link up again. This has happened to me so I wanted to know.
Now on to your post, this is such a sad story. He was so disrespectful to his family and the State.
Cathy
This is the lesson for my children from Ms Sandford: "enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will"
ReplyDeleteYes, she is going to have to be strong for her sons. Those boys are going to have some hard things to face, both publicly and privately. God Bless them.
ReplyDeleteI admired Gov. Sanford for the job he was doing as governor. It is almost like he is another person to me now. There does not seem to be one ounce left of the man everyone thought they knew. Mrs. Sanford is much stronger than myself because I would have rung his neck. I imagine she became physically ill when hearing what was going on with him. I almost became ill when portions of the e-mails exchanged between him and the other woman, were read on TV. They are in need of a lot of prayer and Gov. Sanford needs to get straight with God.