A Legacy of Love

One of the tongue in cheek comments I sometimes make about the need for estate planning is that families always get along. Well, we all know that this isn’t always the case. A book I am currently reading examines both sides of that statement. Authors Barry M. Fish and Les Kotzer state in “Where There`s an Inheritance,” that death and inheritance unleash a vast range of emotions which embrace bitter mean-spiritededness on one end of the spectrum, and the deepest imaginable wellsprings of good will and love on the other.``

Here is one of the good ones from their book that I will share with you as the season of Christmas approaches.

Elizabeth died leaving six adult children surviving her. Her will named two of them as executors but all six children came to our office together, because their executor siblings insisted that all of them be there. They described how their mother was left a widow, shortly after the birth of the last child. Financially, life was a struggle for all of them, but they explained how Mom`s spirit allowed them to surmount the worst of times together.

With help from friends, Mom was able to get an extra job during the evenings but she taught her children to look for coupons in flyers and how to use them. She taught them how to be organized and the importance of looking out for one another. Everyone one of them remembered the times when their mother confessed that she was sorry that she could not give them everything that their schoolmates had. However, what she gave them was far more valuable than the fancy clothes worn by their friends.

The family somehow managed through the difficult years and four of the children were now successful professionals while the other two were not so fortunate and had never escaped from hard times.

What impressed the authors was the attitude of the Elizabeth`s children. The four successful ones said that all they cared about was that their less fortunate brother and sister be looked after. They instructed the lawyers to do the necessary paperwork in order to turn over the entire estate to the two siblings who needed it most. The brother and sister who had fallen on hard times had no idea this was coming. They had tears in their eyes and the lawyers didn`t know what to say. One of the other four children said it for all of them, `

`We know you would have done the same for us if the situation were reversed. Mom raised us to be there for each other and that will never change. Mom taught us the real meaning of love and the importance of family. That was her gift to all of us.

Without a doubt, Elizabeth would have been proud. What a legacy!

We Can Take nothing with Us

Suddenly, out in the hall, I heard an infant scream, followed by a quick “shhh!” presumably from its mother. The Rev heard it too.

”Now that child,”he said, “reminds me of something your sages taught. When a baby comes into the world, its hands are clenched, right? Like this?”

He made a fist.

“Why? Because a baby, not knowing any better, wants to grab everything, to say, “The whole world is mine.”

“But when an old person dies, how does he do so? With his hands open. Why? Because he has learned the lesson.”

What lesson, I asked.

He stretched open his empty hands.

“We can take nothing with us.”

This excerpt is from Have a Little Faith (Hyperion Books 2009) by Mitch Albom. You may remember this author from The Five People You Meet in Heaven and For One More Day - both bestsellers.

That little anecdote is a conversation between a rabbi and a writer he asked to do his eulogy – eight years before he died. The publisher says it is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine within us all. I commend the book for your reading.

But, it was that last line which stood out for me – “We take nothing with us.” It reminds me of the words of St. Francis whom I have quoted often before:

Remember that when you leave this earth,

you can take with you nothing that you have received –

only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest

service, love, sacrifice and courage.

Perhaps this packs an important message for all of us. We should keep this in mind as you look at your estate plan (no matter how big or small) and reflect on the role of the Church in your lives and how much it needs your continuing support – long after you are gone. A planned gift is one way to deal with this dilemma and I encourage to consider this possibility. After all, you can’t take it with you! Please feel free to contact me for more information.

Kevin Smith is a gift planning consultant with the Anglican Church of Canada. He can be contacted at (709) 739-5667 or by email at k_smith@nf.sympatico.ca.

Sentimental Journey

One weekend in late August, my two brothers, Morley and Eric, and their wives joined Kay and me at a schools reunion in Gander. This was a reunion of former students from both the Amalgamated and Roman Catholic schools. This wonderful weekend, entitled “Sentimental Journey”, presented an opportunity to meet old classmates and to reflect on the swiftness of passing time. Round about the same time, I received an article from Everett Hobbes about growing old. After some thought, I considered combining the reunion thoughts and the article submitted by Everett with messages of making the most of every day and putting your financial house in order. I concluded, therefore, that both provided a worthwhile background or justification for the need to get a will and to update your estate plan. Unfortunately the author for this reflection is unknown so I can give no credit except to Rev. Everett for passing it on to me. Enjoy!
"You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all.
And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is, the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise.
How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?
I remember well ... seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is...wife retired and she's really getting gray; she moves slower and I see an older woman now. She's in better shape than me, but, I see the great change...not the one I married who was young and vibrant...but, like me, her age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things.
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last. This I know, that when it's over...it's over. Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done; things I should have done. But indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life; so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...
"Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who came after. Make it a fantastic one."Live, Love and Laugh
LIVE IT WELL!!"


Kevin Smith is the gift planning consultant for the Anglican Church of Canada. He can be contacted at 709 739-5667 or by email at k_smith@nf.sympatico.ca.

May is Leave a Legacy Month

Anglican Church – partner again this year

May is Leave a Legacy(TM) month and this is the 13th year that we have marked this initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador. I’m delighted to say that the Anglican Church of Canada is a partner in this program which is celebrated all across the country and throughout the United States. The goal is to encourage more people to get a legal will and to leave a bequest in that will for the charity of their choice
Stats Canada suggested that a recent survey reported that almost 23 million Canadians, or 84% of the population aged 15 and over, made a financial donation to a charitable or non-profit organization during the 12-month period covered by the survey. During the same period, 12.5 million Canadians, or 46% of the population, volunteered their time through a group or organization. These rates were largely unchanged from 2004.
The report also claimed that Canadians donated a total of $10 billion in 2007, up from $8.9 billion in 2004. In 2007, the average donation was $437, compared with $400 in 2004. These increases were not adjusted for inflation. Interestingly enough, about 91% of the population aged 15 and over in Newfoundland and Labrador made a financial donation to a charitable or non-profit organization during that time. This was highest among the provinces and territories, and well above the national average of 84%.Note as well that religious organizations (46%) were the biggest beneficiaries of charitable giving. They received more than three times the donations than did the second most popular type of organization - health.

In Newfoundland this year, the Legacy partners will be advertising in the local newspaper and running radio ads on a provincial radio station promoting the idea of gift planning.

We are making progress. I believe strongly that some of that progress is due in no small part to the Leave a Legacy(TM) program.

In the final analysis, planned giving is like planting seeds and therefore a long run proposition. The key is for the Church to get in front of the prospects, stay in front of them and be there when the time to move forward eventually arrives. Those prospects are our faithful parishioners so let’s ensure they understand how leaving a legacy for their church is an expression of their stewardship intentions.

Kevin Smith is a gift planning consultant for the Anglican Church of Canada. He can be reached at 709 739-5667 or by email at k_smith@nf.sympatico.ca.

The Parable of the Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting it into the box.

There are five things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you will need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.

And five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.

No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

I found this parable in some old files and thought I would share it with you. The author (unknown) obviously felt that there was a significant message here – a message that is particularly relevant during this Lenten time. A message of reflection that should resonant with you and me!

We’re talking about legacy here? Do you have a will? Have you left a bequest in that will for your church? Choosing to a leave a gift from the heart for your church brings meaning, dignity and purpose to a life well lived. Have we been good stewards of ourselves, our money, our families, our communities and our world? By leaving a planned gift, we can help sustain the church which has sustained you and your families over the years.

Please give me a call.

On Giving

Gordon from All Saint’s sent this anecdote along to me.

My late father in law used to say, “Cast your bread upon the waters – you might get back a bakery.” I heard of a case recently where an individual had given a rather large amount to his church and other charities during the year. That was his bread upon the waters. At tax time he was surprised – and pleased – to find that he got back a tax credit of almost exactly half of what he had given. That was his bakery.

His church and other charities got the money – the government didn’t.

Want to try for your bakery? Give generously to your church at this time and always.

An interesting journal

The Journal of Andrew Allan George

1918 - 1973

My first column of 2010 is somewhat of a departure from my regular offerings but I could not resist sharing tidbits of this journal of Andrew George of New Harbour, Trinity Bay which has been transcribed by his son, Douglas. Andrew began his first journal entry when he was almost 17 years old. He had a Grade six education but his observations on the Church and society and indeed current events are quite remarkable. Time and time again there are comments about practical examples of good stewardship – for the use of church buildings and the coming together to help someone in need. Such was the way of life 70 years ago.

He begins in January 1935 where he noted regularly that he not only attend church in New Harbour but usually walked to neighbouring Dildo to attend evensong there.. On Sunday, the 17^th of March he wrote the following:

Milder today but fine with moderate south west wind. The Parson is not home yet so there is no service in the church today. Kept school this evening after which a crowd of us went over in dock. There was a large crowd there this evening. Attended Dildo church tonight and Mr. Kelloway read a wonderful sermon.

On January 30, he writes of a tragedy that befell his family:

Have not made an entry for the past week as I have been too frightened to think of such trifles. ….. It began to snow so I went up to Llewellyn Hefford’s for a couple of hours or so. We had a game of checkers and about 10 o’clock I left for home. It was blowing a gale from the south-west and drifting. When I got home Mother and Father were waiting up for me. They were uneasy as it was a wonderful rough night. However we went to bed about 10.30. At about a quarter to twelve Maria ( his sister) awoke with the whooping cough and discovered that the store and barn was all in a blaze. I awoke scared almost to death. The room was all lighted up as if it were day and I thought that it was the house. I did not know what I was doing and I don’t think any of us did, we were so frightened. We got to the barn door but the heat was so terrific that when we got it unlocked we had to leave it fair play. Besides, the animals were all smothered by that time. In less than an hour the whole thing was flat on the ground. Everybody in the neighbourhood did their best to extinguish the flames but all to no avail.

Andrew writes how the people of the area rallied around to help his father rebuild his barn.

The people of New Harbour and Dildo are helping. They have hauled along 190 sticks to the mill…The people of Blaketown have collected 93 logs. Father got a pleasant surprise to find that so many helped him in Blaketown. ……The St. Augustine’s Women’s Sewing Class are holding a tea tonight in the school to aid Father in this trying time. The people are still bringing along logs. ….There is about 200 up by the Hoskins’ mill now. The L.O.A. the L.O.Y.B.A and the S.U.F. combined are holding a tea to help Father. ….Colin came down today and had a hard time too as there is so much snow. He has collected $1.55 in Little Ridge which, is very good for so small a place.

In September 1935, Andrew writes about his first visit to St. john’s:

Left for St. John’s today. Had a delightful time, it being my first time in town. Saw the Blue Peter which is there loading with blueberries. We unloaded the berries on the South Side at Baird’s and then came over on Water St. and loaded up with flour at the Furness Withy freight shed….. We stopped at Bowring Park where I got a bird’s eye view of Peter Pan, The Caribou and The Fighting Newfoundlander. There was a nice lot of flowers there too and a lot of strange trees which have been presented by divers people to beautify the Park which is a delightful place. What a place to get a picture taken!

Andrew carries on this journal for three years covering a variety of topics from the weather, funerals, weddings, getting wood, making barrel hoops, special events and shipping tragedies. He even talks about working on the roads for a number of hours in order to pay for a $2.00 licience for his brother’s dog.

I’m afraid I have only scratched the surface on this delightful journal. In closing I am giving the final word to Andrew who wrote on March 22, 1936 a statement which is contrary to the current situation in many churches today.

Showery this morning, attended Mattins where there was a fine crowd of children but it’s surprising how very few grown-ups attend church in the mornings. I think that when the children grow up they will cease to go to church too and I would not blame them when they do not see their elders present and who should be showing them a good example by going to church. Attended school this afternoon and Evensong at 6.30. Afterwards, Cam and I went up the road.