May is for mothers. Mothers to be, mothers in minivans and SUVs, mothers of the bride, godmothers and grandmothers. None of us would be here without our mothers and most of us would not be who we are without their unending care, love and support. How can we adequately honor someone who has given so much to ensure our happiness and success? Does a day, a month, a year or even a lifetime give us enough time to tell her how very much she is loved? A small way to honor our mothers is to value who they are and who they helped us become.
In estate planning, legal documents we prepare are necessary and important but are also merely a byproduct of what we do to help you preserve your legacy for future generations. Most likely your loved ones will not cherish your signed and notarized Revocable Living Trust. Your Living Will and Advance Healthcare Directives won’t evoke pleasant memories of your childhood. Your family won’t gather together at holidays and reminisce over your Last Will and Testament.
What is her lasting legacy? Is it a set of legal documents? Is it a life insurance policy? Is her success and wealth measured in dollars or does it run deeper? Which memories will her loved ones hold dear when she has departed?
Talk with your mother or the mother of your children. Ask her what she thinks is important for you or your children to hear. Don’t just ask her. Capture her priceless answers. Write them down or record her thoughts on CD or DVD. Give her a fraction of the time she has given you. Show her she is the source of many good and significant things in your lives. Have her tell you about her children. If she had to pick one word to describe each child, what would it be? Ask her what she sees as each child’s greatest gift and what her proudest moment is with each child. How does she define success for her children? If there was one message she could share with her children on their 40th birthdays, what would it be?
Let her tell you why she does what she does. Let her tell you stories of when you or your children were growing up, stories you may not remember or remember differently. Let her tell you the story of your lives from her point of view. Then give her a journal or scrapbook so she can continue to bless dear ones with her wisdom and memories.
When you are done, and if you carry this gift forward, you will have a great Mother’s Day tradition that will last for generations!
Show mom how much you care: 970-879-1572.