End of Life Planning
A Legacy of Love
A grandmother writes a letter to her granddaughter, passing on the family stories and recipes. She knows that long after she’s gone, she will have created a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire and connect her family for generations to come.
As the sun sets over the rolling hills of her family farm, Grandma Jean sits in her favorite armchair, surrounded by the warm glow of candles and the soft hum of old memories. She has lived a full life, filled with love, laughter, and adventure, but as she approaches her 80th birthday, she knows it’s time to reflect on the legacy she wants to leave behind.
Her eyes wander to the stack of photo albums on the coffee table, each one bursting with stories of family gatherings, holidays, and special moments shared with her grandchildren. It’s then that she decides to put her thoughts into words, and begins writing a letter to her granddaughter, Emma.
Dear Emma,
As I sit here, surrounded by the memories of a lifetime, I am reminded of the importance of preserving our family’s legacy. You know, sweetie, when I was your age, I never thought about the end of life. I was too busy living, loving, and making memories with the people I care about most. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that the most precious gifts I can give you and our family are the stories, traditions, and values that have shaped our lives.
I remember the countless hours I spent in the kitchen with your mother, teaching her how to make our famous sugar cookies. The way she’d giggle as we’d mess up the icing, and how we’d dance around the kitchen to our favorite oldies tunes. Those moments are etched in my heart, and I want to make sure you have them, too.
That’s why I’ve started writing down all our family’s traditions, from the way we make our Christmas cookies to the secret ingredient in our famous chicken pot pie. I want you to have these recipes, not just so you can make them for your own family one day, but so you’ll remember the love and laughter that went into making them.
I’ve also included stories about your great-grandparents, who came to this country with nothing but a dream and a strong work ethic. Their sacrifices and perseverance paved the way for our family’s success, and I want you to know about the struggles and triumphs that shaped our heritage.
Emma, I know it might seem hard to think about, but one day I won’t be here to tell you these stories in person. But I want you to know that I’ll always be with you, in the memories we’ve made, in the traditions we’ve shared, and in the love that we’ve given each other.
As you read this, I hope you’ll remember the way I’d hold your hand and walk you through the fields on summer evenings, pointing out the fireflies and telling you about the magic of the universe. I hope you’ll recall the way we’d snuggle up on the couch, reading books and sharing secrets.
Most of all, I hope you’ll carry on our family’s legacy, passing it down to your own children and grandchildren one day. It’s not about material possessions or wealth; it’s about the love, values, and memories that make us who we are.
With all my love,
Grandma Jean
As she finishes writing the letter, Grandma Jean feels a sense of peace wash over her. She knows that she had given Emma a piece of herself, a piece that will live on long after she’s gone. She seals the envelope, addresses it to Emma, and places it in a special box, along with the photo albums, recipes, and stories.
From that day on, Grandma Jean felt a sense of freedom, knowing that her legacy was secure. She continued to live life to the fullest, surrounded by her loved ones, but now, she did so with the knowledge that her memories, traditions, and values would live on through the generations.
After her death, Grandma Jean’s story spread, as Emma shared the letter with her siblings, cousins, and eventually, her own children. The family still comes together to celebrate their heritage, sharing stories, recipes, and laughter around the dinner table. And as they do, they realize that Grandma Jean’s legacy was not just about the past, but about the love and connections that would continue to bind them together in the years to come.
Author’s Note:
By sharing her stories, values, and recipes, Grandma Jean created a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire and connect her family for generations to come. It is my hope that her story will encourage readers to reflect on their own legacies, and to take steps to preserve their memories, traditions, and values, ensuring that their love and wisdom will live on long after they’re gone.
If you are interested in helping your parents, grandparents and others create their legacies, why not become an accredited End-of-Life Planning Facilitator with Before I Go Solutions. Our next training programme begins September 17th, 2024. To register your interest go to www.beforeigosolutions.com. While you’re there, register for our FREE Info Session on September 3rd. Scholarships are available too. Imagine — you could become an accredited End-of-Life Planning Facilitator before Christmas and be ready to serve your community.
Dr. Michael Williams is a storyteller, award-winning author, and accredited End-of-Life Planning Facilitator and Trainer for Before I Go Solutions. He is also a certified Guided Autobiography Instructor (GAB) and popular memoir-writing workshop facilitator. To learn more about his work, go to www.michaelwilliamsstoryteller.com.
