By Josh Nelson

Dear Mom,

This February, as we celebrate the warmth of love, I find myself compelled to put my deep gratitude and appreciation for you into words. You've given our family a lifetime of care, and now your thoughtfulness extends to your legacy as well. In a world that often shies away from discussing matters of mortality, your decision to embrace estate planning speaks volumes about your wisdom and love for our family.

Mom, your dedication to ensuring that your wishes are known and respected in the realm of end-of-life decision-making is a testament to your strength. With your advanced healthcare directives, your clarity in expressing your wishes for medical treatment in the event you cannot communicate them yourself is a compassionate and selfless act. When the time comes, you have already eliminated the burden of making difficult decisions in times that will already be challenging, sparing our family from potential conflicts. I promise you that we will ensure your desires are honored with the utmost respect and dignity.

When you established an asset protection trust, you reminded all of us that life is not just about the stuff you accumulate — it's about the legacy you create in shaping our lives with love, responsibility, and a whole lot of foresight. I will never be able to express how grateful I am for your years of hard work in building a financial future you can pass on to our family.

Living in Georgia, where the probate process can be notoriously complex, the understanding that this new trust provides a shield for our family's wealth is both comforting and empowering. Your commitment to protecting the fruits of your labor and ensuring they benefit our family seamlessly is a testament to your dedication. You have also spared us the burdensome legal hoops of dealing with the probate court, knowing that despite our immense grief, we will be able to commemorate your life with the honor and respect you deserve.

The inclusion of powers of attorney in your estate plan is another layer of protection that hasn't gone unnoticed. When unforeseen circumstances arise, knowing you've already chosen responsible people you trust to manage financial and legal matters provides a profound sense of reassurance. It speaks to your commitment to ensuring that our affairs are managed with the same care and diligence that you've applied throughout your life.

Along with your healthcare directive and powers of attorney, you also created a well-crafted will in your estate plan, tying everything together. Your clarity in outlining how you want your assets distributed reflects a level of thoughtfulness that goes beyond the legal requirements. It provides a roadmap for our family, ensuring that we can honor your intentions and reducing the potential for misunderstandings or arguments during a time when we will already be overwhelmed by emotion.

As I reflect on the plans you've made, I am reminded not only of the pragmatic aspects of estate planning but also of the values you've instilled in me. Your steadfast approach regarding responsibility, foresight, and our family's well-being is a guiding light that shapes not only the practical facets of our lives but also the moral compass by which we navigate them. Beyond mere paperwork, your effort and attention to planning will continue to show your care for us long after you are gone.

I am profoundly grateful to be your child and will be forever honored to have you as a parent. As we celebrate your wisdom this February, I am reminded that love is not just a fleeting emotion but also a deliberate choice — one that you have made consistently throughout your life. I want you to know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Your love, wisdom, and careful planning will be a source of strength and guidance for our family in the years to come. Your legacy is in the tangible assets you've safeguarded as well as the invaluable lessons of hard work, accountability, and prescience that you have imparted to our family and community.

With deepest gratitude and love,

Josh