The most valuable gifts we can give to our children, grandchildren, and those yet to come are the treasures of our memories, our stories, our values, insights, and special wisdom.

At turning points in our lives many of us ask ourselves questions of the heart and soul.

• Have I fulfilled my purpose?
• What will I be remembered for?
• What kind of legacy have I passed along to my family and others?

Thirteen years ago, I first learned about an ancient tradition for passing on personal values, beliefs, blessings, and advice to future generations called an ‘ethical will.’  At a subconscious level, I must have remembered the custom, because when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1990, I asked him to write a letter about the things that he valued.  About a month before he died, my dad gave me two handwritten pages in which he spoke about the importance of being honest, getting a good education, helping people in need, and always remaining loyal to family.  That letter—his ethical will—meant more to me than any material possession he could have bequeathed.

Both personally and professionally, I have become a strong proponent of the ethical will as a vehicle for clarifying and communicating the meaning in our lives to our families and communities.  I strongly believe that those who wish to reflect on and share life’s experience will find an ethical will a useful tool.  Those who wish to examine their moral underpinnings, discover it to be an excellent forum for contemplation.  Those who want to be remembered authentically and for their gifts of heart, mind, and spirit, take satisfaction in knowing what they hold most valued is ‘on the record,’ not to be lost or forgotten.” 1

Throughout the 15 years I worked as a Senior Financial Consultant for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, I helped individuals and couples successfully create their Ethical Wills.  To make it easier I use a “how to” booklet, The Ethical Will Resource Kit, containing step-by-step instructions and exercises.

I am willing to share my expertise in this field with members of St. Andrew’s.  If this sounds like something you would like to investigate feel free to contact me to set up an appointment.  I would be glad to assist you in passing on your values to future generations. 

“Because of their simplicity, ethical wills can be either the primary vehicle for the creation of a personal legacy or just the first step in creating something more involved.  One thing is certain:  When you have completed your ethical will, you will have gone through a process that can be truly life changing.” 2  

1 Barry K. Baines, Ethical Wills:  Putting Your Values on Paper (Cambridge, MA:  Perseus Publishing, 2002), 1.
2 Ibid. 63.