About Byron  | Blog

Growing up in a large family (eight children) in the mountain states, I learned the value of close family and friendship ties. My parents were wonderful guides, teaching us all from childhood how important those two relationships are. My five remaining siblings and my two daughters continue to teach that same philosophy to me.

Since the passing of my Mother in 2000 and my Father in 2003, I have many times wondered about the importance of the things they left behind. Watching my brothers and sisters, and seeing others deal with similar situations, I soon came to believe that the most important and valuable items were those with significant emotional and/or sentimental attachment.

I began to look back at other events in my life: the death of my son at 8 months of age due to an immune deficiency, the tragic deaths of my oldest brother and his wife who were killed in their home, the passing of another brother due to cancer, and finally my parents. In each passing, there was something left behind. Sometimes it was only short memories or a pair of baby shoes. Sometimes it was photographs, music, or a needle and thread. It seemed to me that those things which represented a heart to heart connection were by far the most cherished. And during the last year, I wondered to myself what each would have given if they could choose for themselves……….the gift, the recipient, and the time the gift is to be given.

That was the genesis of My Hidden Legacy.

My first desire was to create the means for people anywhere to leave those “special” gifts behind, and enable them to give back in a heartfelt and memorable way. And since each person has built their own relationship traditions, it was important to do something that would be detached from formal and regimented Wills and Trusts. This would allow them to personalize their gift in such a way that the tradition, anniversary, special day would carry on and be remembered forever.