12/19/2025
When I ask my estate planning clients if they have any personal items (heirlooms, jewelry, etc.) they would like to pass to a specific person, many if not most respond with something to the effect of, "no one wants my junk," or "my stuff doesn't mean anything to anyone but me."
So I tell them the story of my Christmas tree.
After my wife, Kim, died I had to decorate for Christmas. That was Kim's thing and she loved it, but now I had to pull out all the bins and do the thing. I came across a ceramic Christmas tree Kim would put out every year and figured why not.
When I opened the box I discovered a note Kim had written. The tree had been a gift from her grandmother. Knowing how much it meant to Kim turned what had been just another Christmas decoration into one I cherish most.
As you move through this holiday season, I encourage you to consider how you might share the life you've built and the things you cherish with the people you cherish.
Those who love you will want to feel connected to you after you're gone. The giving of final, meaningful gifts can be that bridge to a cherished legacy.
~ Dustin
