Most of us would rather hold onto our parent's memories than receive a financial inheritance. In fact, values and life lessons are some of the most meaningful gifts we get from our parents and other family members. But they are also intangible. You can't hold them, you can't see them. So how do you preserve them?
One of the most effective ways to carry on your beloved's values and life lessons is to record them. Ask each family member to write down the values and lessons they consider to be important. Then suggest that everyone participate in the memorable task of assembling symbols of those values and lessons that each of you wrote down.
For example, you can create photo albums and scrapbooks. Record special memories that have yet to occur by keeping your camcorder on hand and building a video library. Some of your family members may have written poems, stories, or heartfelt letters; such mementos are worth cataloging and even framing. These are easy, fun activities that grandchildren would also be happy to help with, and they go a long way to preserving family values for generations to come.
The relationships within our families mean the world to us. The memories we have of each other will last for years to come. Most families strive to get even closer together by creating even more memories. They do this by talking to each other, and by finding out what each other is thinking and feeling, and exploring how to fulfill each other's wishes.
Conversations as important as these don't happen automatically, but they don't have to happen alone either. As a financial professional with the good fortune of having experienced the joy of a large extended family over many years, I would be happy to provide support and guidance for you and your family along the way.
Jim Hetherman can be contacted by phone at 818-636-7869 (CA Ins Lic #0B21307). Please leave a message if I am busy with another client. Also, by email at Jim@Hetherman.com. Please use the words VALUES AND LIFE LESSONS as the SUBJECT of your email.