Heirloom and Legacy Planning
When my grandmother graduated to heaven, I stared at a piece of her jewelry wondering, “where did she get this?” In that moment, missing her, I wanted to know all the things I never knew I wanted to know.
While holding my newborn with a looming cancer diagnosis I wondered, “who will tell her this ring is from my grandmother?”
And, then, while scrolling the thousands of photos of my two year old while standing toe-to-toe with an allegedly incurable stage four breast cancer diagnosis I realized this is absolutely my responsibility to leave breadcrumbs for her to know me. Because let’s be real, if I don’t save these photos from my phone no one will or at least there’s a chance they might not. But, I in this moment I can control this one thing.
As a daughter of a dad who graduated to heaven too early, I know, intimately, what it’s like to ask “do I look like my dad?” and “do I sound like him?” To be fair, the early nineties were a different time. I hold the few photos I have closely knowing he loved me more than anyone in the world and he didn’t choose to leave me.
While being here - earth side - is the best way to be my girl’s mom, I pray every day she knows I did my best to love on her even when it wasn’t my choice to graduate early.
Document Your Heirlooms
While there is no right or wrong way to document your story and your heirlooms. This approachable was easy-for-me and includes my actual handwriting.
Capture real-time images with phone.
Use HP Sprocket Printer for printing sticky-back photos.
Share details about each piece, in your handwriting, in a leather notebook. I included: it’s origin, why I love it, where I’ve worn it, estimated or known original cost.
Photo Books
While there’s something special about a high-quality photo album, the goal is simply to ensure your photos are printed. Our wedding album was a Christmas gift to myself and I adore it. It was printed with Artifact Uprising.
Our annual yearbooks are printed with Shutterfly simply because I love how the app syncs with my phone and makes creating the albums easy. A little advice: while the quality may be higher today, lean into the way our parents made photo albums in the 90s. Steer clear of the highlight real and show real life.
I pray everyday I am able to give these cards to my people myself, but if I’m not here I hope these cards bring them a bit of joy.
Tips:
Grab a stack after a holiday.
Check stores like TJMaxx and Homegoods.
When someone asks, “what can I do to help?” or says “let me know how I can help?” reply: “grab an extra card the next time you’re at the super market for literally any instance.”
I store my cards in a storage basket with a lid from Amazon.
Label each card with a name and a date/reason for opening.
Milestone Gifts
Thanks to generous memory-making sponsorships to our personal family, I took Elsie to New York to see The Lion King on Broadway, her first MLB game (go Mets!), and to purchase milestone gifts for her high school graduation, college graduation, wedding, and first baby.
While I’ll do everything possible to be there for each of those big days, I hope her knowing we picked our her gifts together makes her days a little brighter.
Storage
Your phone isn’t a long-term storage solution. Print, save, and backup your images, videos, and voice memos. (photo flash drive example, external hard drive example)
More Ideas
Visit Build-a-Bear and record your voice for a special bear.
Create a photo album, or write on the back of photos, information about family members who make frequent appearances in photos. Because some day your kiddos might want to reach out to your college friends for the real reel.
