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 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.
Gratefully, I found a counterbalance to my sometimes plodding
style in my friend and partner, Bonnie. Her amazing ability to
connect emotionally with others and see things through a
different prism has made all the difference, and allowed us to
create something wonderfully unique. I could not have asked for,
or been blessed with, anyone better.
“…..let me do it now, and not defer
or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”
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