In the end, we carry on some parts (or traits) of our ancestors. It is left for us to determine how they affect us.
I think if someone chooses to embrace their situations, they see things differently and then they somehow have control over what they become from it.
Smallsteps definitely emulates you, or will emulate you in several manners. And I have a hunch she'll have good memories of you. The cookie baking thing on Monday is surely one, although you may consider it trivial.
I often wonder how variable our control is and how much ability we have to actually affect it. The idea is we can, but I expect that much of our control is actually hardwired into us to lesser and greater degrees - so what is easier for some, is harder for others.
I never see cookies as trivial... :)