Your Grandparenting Legacy
What impact are you making, not only today, but for eternity? What impact are you making to leave a legacy?
The one thing I need to leave behind is good memories.
One of the most powerful ways to define your Grandparenting Legacy is to think of it as the story that will be told about you. That story will be shaped by how you made your grandchildren feel when you were with them. It’s a gift—your gift—to them. It’s a story of the love, presence, and value you brought into their lives.
Yes, that can be a daunting thought. But it’s also an invitation to make the most of this incredible journey. Leave no stone unturned.
Your Legacy
Is About Them
Legacy is paradoxical. It feels personal—about us—but it’s really all about what we give to others. It’s the impact we leave behind, the impression that outlasts us.
If you choose to lean into the Grandparenting journey with intention, your legacy will be a powerful one. The more you connect, listen, and love, the deeper the roots you plant in your grandchildren’s hearts.
Presence Over Preaching
We all carry wisdom we’d love to pass down, and that’s admirable. But it’s not the lectures or lessons that stick—it’s the quiet moments: the shared meals, the walks, the silly stories, and those small conversations where they felt truly seen.
As I’ve learned from my time as a Youth Minister, it’s not always about what you say. I used to ask teens—especially the young women—this simple question when they talked about dating:
“How do you feel about yourself when you’re with this person?”
That question always landed. Because it wasn’t about appearances or opinions. It was about their gut. Their worth. Their truth.
And you know what? That same principle carries into almost every meaningful decision in life. If we can help our grandkids tune into that inner compass—by being examples of calm, kind presence—we’ve already given them so much.
Footprints in Cement
In today’s fast-moving world, we as Grandparents can be pillars of timeless love. We offer stability through our values, our presence, and our example.
Many people talk about leaving footprints in the sand—but those wash away. I like to think of this journey as leaving footprints in the cement, with our initials and the date etched right in.
So what will your legacy include?
- The power of love, resilience, and tradition?
- Cherished moments that shaped their sense of self?
- Encouragement, guidance, and belief in who they are becoming?
We have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to live out a legacy that will be remembered not just for what we did, but for how we made them feel.
What Will They Remember?
Will your grandchildren remember the spaghetti sauce on your shirt or that you snored in the recliner? Maybe. But far more importantly, they’ll remember how you made them feel seen, heard, and deeply loved.
As you think about your legacy, return to those early notes you made—your hopes and dreams for each child. Let those guide your actions now.
And when it comes to leaving a material legacy, like money or heirlooms, do it with the same thoughtfulness. My own mother left each grandchild an equal portion of her modest estate. It wasn’t much, but the message was loud and clear:
“You mattered to Grandma.”
Yet as you know, the real legacy is intangible. It’s the story they’ll tell when your name comes up.
Telling the Family Story
One beautiful part of your legacy is sharing your family’s story. Grandchildren are often captivated by where they come from. Research even shows that kids who know about their roots tend to feel more secure in who they are.
In our family, my sister Salle and I researched our Taft family tree. It turns out we’re fifth cousins to President William Howard Taft. But what matters more is the story we tell about his fairness and honesty—values he brought to the bench and passed through our family. These tales reinforce the character traits we want to nurture in our little ones.
Even if you don’t have a president in your lineage, your ancestors have stories worth telling. Dig them up, share them, and watch your grandchildren light up.
The Ethical Will: A Timeless Tradition
One often-overlooked way to pass on legacy is through an Ethical Will—also known as a Spirit Will. It’s not about money or possessions, but rather your values, hopes, and blessings for the next generation.
This concept shows up in ancient texts—from Jacob in Genesis to Moses in Deuteronomy. It’s been part of Jewish, French, German, and Spanish traditions for centuries.
When you intentionally craft your legacy, you join a sacred lineage. You’ve worked a lifetime for the wisdom you hold. Now is your chance to share it in a way that resonates deeply.
As you think about your legacy, return to those early notes you made—your hopes and dreams for each child. Let those guide your actions now.
And when it comes to leaving a material legacy, like money or heirlooms, do it with the same thoughtfulness. My own mother left each grandchild an equal portion of her modest estate. It wasn’t much, but the message was loud and clear: “You mattered to Grandma.”
Yet as you know, the real legacy is intangible. It’s the story they’ll tell when your name comes up.
One Last Nugget of Wisdom
Let me leave you with a quote from Dr. Theodore Isaac Rubin:
“Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of Wisdom.”
That, to me, is legacy in a nutshell.
Whether you leave behind written letters, shared stories, voice recordings, or just the memory of your presence at the family table—your legacy matters.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours—rooted in love, filled with thought, and passed along with care.
What will they remember?
That’s the story only you can write.