We lost our Mom in May at the age of 76. My sisters & brother & I were happy to find some things she’d written about her life. Not really written to us, but reflections on her life & childhood. Though we knew she was going down, and she did too, she was never able to admit that she was dying and so we weren’t able to have conversations about things that would have helped us cope.

Consequently, I’ve written a joint letter to my sons (ages 20 & 25, both still living at home), reflecting on their meaning in my life and sharing some of my favorite memories of our life together. I also started a few other “essays” on my life as a child and memories of my parents & grandparents. I’m also writing one on things I want them to know, advice & things I’ve learned that I’d like to share with them.

Most of these things I’ve said to them already, at various times. But if something should happen to me suddenly, I want them to have these things to read later and remember.

I also left a list of friends & family to call if needed, and instructions about my finances, household accounts and life insurance. They know where these things are in my lock box if they ever need them.

Several years ago I started crocheting baby blankets for family members & friends. This year I made a baby blanket for each of my sons to have, just in case I’m not here to do that when they have kids. After making them for everyone else, I’d hate for my sons to miss out on that. I let them choose the yarn, finished the blankets & labeled & stored them in the closet. Since they both picked blue & white, I’m going to do another girls blanket for each one next year.

I’ve also scanned years of photos of my parents, grandparents, my childhood & their childhoods, and I’m storing these on flash drives for them at the moment, while looking into longer term storage solutions.

I hope I’ll be here to see them get married & have children, but I feel better knowing that if something happened to me suddenly, I’ve left everything I can to help them.

So far all the writing has been on my computer (because it’s quicker!), with signed printouts placed in the lock box in a folder for each of them, but I like the idea of hand writing some of it and leaving a video recording. I’ll have to add that to my list!

Thanks for sharing your plans and wishing the best for you and your family in 2012~!

In a way you’re already sharing your legacy with your family, just not in writing. You’re making your family your priority and creating memories they’ll carry forever of you spending time with them, as a family & one-on-one. And they see who you are by your commitment and actions.

I have several older relatives who have passed away, and a few of them had put together something similar. The books are nice to have, but the memories of our times together and stories they shared with me are what I hold closest to my heart.