Happy anniversary mom and dad!!! I can’t sum up all my love and feelings for you in just a small space in a newspaper. It would take me a lifetime to describe my love and gratitude for you. However, I want to publicly acknowledge you and the life you have provided for me, my brother, and your grandkids.
One thing is for sure, you both have sacrificed a lot, throughout your life, for family. You both are the reason for who I am today. Thank you for giving me an incredible life and every comfort by working hard day and night. I am grateful for your unconditional love and support. Without you, I could not understand the meaning and importance of love and family. You have taught me many things that I need to learn. When I failed, you were there to encourage and support me. You helped me celebrate some of the most monumental times in my life. I am so glad we were by my side through the good and bad times. You both are everything to all of us. You taught me the value of family, friendship, education, hard work, and travel. Through your encouragement and support, I reached my goal of having a family of my own, becoming an attorney, and being in a place where I can help my community with their legal needs.
Thank you for always being there for me and, later, for my daughters. You provided them with a sense of family and stability, and I am forever thankful for your role in their upbringing. The relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild is extraordinary, and I am so grateful that our family established that critical bond.
To those of you reading this, let this week’s “topic” remind you that estate planning and leaving your legacy goes beyond the legal documents “normally” considered in estate planning. Later this year, I will invite you to my presentation on “Ethical Wills.”
An Ethical Will reflects the “voice of the heart.” Think of it as a love letter to your family. Ethical wills are a way to share your values, blessings, life lessons, hopes and dreams for the future, love, and forgiveness with your family, friends, and community. Ethical Wills are not considered legal documents and are not “wills.” People often write an Ethical Will at turning points and transitions in their lives or when facing challenging life situations. They are sometimes shared with family while the author is still alive and sometimes intended to be read after the author has passed.
Ethical wills may be one of the most cherished and meaningful gifts you can leave to your loved ones. Every Ethical Will is as unique as the person writing it. I look forward to teaching you more about them later in the year!