I was recently introduced to the practice of writing a legacy letter, or, an ethical will.  It is a document to capture and pass on personal values, family histories and lessons learned to future generations.  More valuable perhaps than monetary or intellectual property, family, friends and your community can benefit from your experience.  They can remember your stories.  Our hopes and dreams can be succinctly shared in this way. It has references in both the Christian and Hebrew Bibles, however Rabbis and Jewish laypeople have maintained the tradition through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The idea has now entered the mainstream consciousness and while religious sources may be from the Judeo-Christian tradition, it likely can be found in history in different forms across all cultures. The absence of a defined religion does not exclude any person from engaging in composing this document, in fact it may serve them very well. It is recommended by estate lawyers, funeral planners, healthcare care workers and more now as an accompaniment to estate, funeral and memorial planning.  It has been a healing spiritual tool to those in palliative and hospice care.  For those who are dying and reflecting upon their lives, love and forgiveness are incredibly powerful gifts to give oneself and others. The expression of an ethical will is really genius in its’ simplicity. I immediately asked my parents, both aging and facing medical difficulties if they would consider writing one.  The friend here in Toronto, who introduced me to this tradition also shared the book “Ethical Wills” by Barry K. Baines, M.D. which I found to be a fantastic guide with different writing approaches. You can find many useful resources on the internet for the composition and content of your legacy letter. I am so grateful to recommend that people write this beautiful document to share beliefs, blessings and advice. I do get asked quite a bit about pre-planning for Celebrations of Life and this is now something we share with the families we serve.  Please inquire with us if you are looking for further assistance and resources on how to go about writing and recording your own ethical will. The comfort I imagine in having such a document reminds me of something the author Napoleon Hill said, he explained that ideas have the power to live on long after we have turned to dust. I may be a bit sentimental but I find that to be such a beautiful thought.