A Legacy of Love and Purpose
I’m Hazel, and together with my husband Gregory, who is 67, we’ve lived a life full of both simple pleasures and grand adventures. We’ve been blessed with a comfortable life, thanks to decades of hard work and a bit of prudent financial planning. As we edge closer to retirement, our conversations at night have increasingly turned from plans of travel to discussions about the impact we hope to leave on the world.
Gregory and I have never had children of our own, but we’ve been deeply involved in the lives of our grandchildren, Dylan and Nova. Dylan, a curious and earnest young man of 20, is currently studying environmental science, and Nova, a vibrant and compassionate 18-year-old, has just started her gap year, volunteering with various community projects. They both have dreams and a clear vision for their futures, something that brings Gregory and I immense pride.
One crisp autumn evening, as Gregory and I sat on our porch watching the sunset, we discussed our estate. We’ve always been supporters of various charities, particularly those focused on environmental conservation and child education. These causes are close to our hearts, and we’ve decided they should be a significant part of our legacy.
“The thing is,” Gregory started, as he often did when pondering a deep thought, “we’ve been given so much, and I think it’s our duty to pass it forward. Not just to Dylan and Nova, but to causes that will continue to give.”
I nodded, feeling the weight and truth of his words. “I agree. And for Dylan and Nova, I believe giving them something too substantial might rob them of the joy of earning their own success. They’re both so passionate about making a difference, I’d hate to see that diluted by comfort and complacency.”
So, the very next day, we met with William, an old family friend who now practices law. We explained our wishes to draft a will that would allocate the majority of our estate to several charities. For Dylan and Nova, we decided on setting up a modest trust fund for each, enough to help them in their educational pursuits and get a solid start in life, but not so much as to make them feel like they didn’t need to strive.
William understood our intentions and helped us put together a plan that felt true to our values. He commended us on our thoughtful approach to legacy planning, mentioning how rare it is to see such foresight.
Months later, when we explained the decision to Dylan and Nova, we were met with reactions that were nothing short of heartwarming. They both expressed deep appreciation for our support and reassured us of their commitment to their own paths and to contributing positively to society.
As Gregory and I now sit back and watch them grow, involved in their education and passions, we feel a profound sense of peace. We’ve not only provided for them but have also guided them towards understanding the value of hard work and the importance of giving back.
In the end, our legacy will be one of love, purpose, and the continuation of support for the causes we believe in. It’s a comforting thought that gives us both great satisfaction as we look towards our retirement years, filled with the joy of having contributed to a better world.