More than a coffee cup

  2 min read

One of my most treasured items is a porcelain coffee cup that I received after the death of my grandmother.

It’s not much to look at, honestly, sorta faded with a chip in it. And I never even drink out of it.

But I’ve carried it with me through several moves. It’s stayed with me after getting married and even having children. And I like to have it where I can see it.

Yes, it reminds me of my grandmother sitting with her cup of coffee and reading the newspaper… but it’s much more than that. Brought up in a different and fading age, my grandmother would often have visitors pop in unexpectedly. No matter what she was doing, whether vacuuming, working in the yard, or taking care of various chores in the house, she would stop immediately, invite them in, put on a pot of coffee and offer a slice of cake or pastry she had on hand. Many of my childhood memories involve my grandma sitting around the table for hours with a neighbor or her siblings laughing, telling stories, or talking about politics.

When I see my grandma’s cup, it reminds me that I am never too busy to stop and have a cup of coffee with a friend or family. Everyday sharing over food and drink are the bedrock of my relationships.

I share this story to remind you that the most meaningful inheritance you will leave your loved ones are the memories you create with them, the behavior you model, and the stories you share. Before you plan for your estate, make sure that you are capturing and sharing yourself with your loved ones, which will leave the most meaningful and enduring legacy.