“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”
― Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

I read this quote and instantly thought of this beautiful family I had and have the pleasure of working with.  It all started with a simple conversation at a mall kiosk that has now turned into years of friendship, mutual respect, and honestly, I find them simply inspirational.

Let’s call them Harry and Wanda – you know who you are!  I first met Harry a number of years ago when he approached me at my office’s mall kiosk.  I remember our first conversation as if it was yesterday.  He told me about how he and Wanda had worked hard through their lives and were able to purchase numerous homes side-by-side that their children and grandchildren now lived in.  We also spoke about the “knuckle heads” (Harry’s words not mine) that were on city council.  When the conversation was over, I thought to myself that I had just met someone special.

Shortly after our initial conversation, I met Wanda, toured their homes and did some research on their values.  I had the privilege of hearing all the story’s of when each home was purchased, the upgrades and changes they had made – most of which was done by their own hands - plus a ton of gossip about the previous owners, some neighbours, and the neighborhood! 

Over the next couple of years, we stayed in touch with quick pop-by’s and phone calls.  Getting updates on the growing family and even some parenting tips from Wanda.  The wisdom and story’s Harry and Wanda shared with me are not something that will be simply forgotten but the most amazing thing that I got to be apart of came next.

I received a phone call from Harry saying it was time to sell the homes and move on.  I know that this decision was not something that they made lightly and that there had to of been some careful considerations and plans made.  It was when I got to Wanda and Harry’s home with all the documents in hand that they shared their plans with me, and I was in aww while all their children were standing around.

The plan was to sell the homes and relocate, hopefully all together again, but with the proceeds of the sales help their children purchase their homes!  This would give their children some financial security at a time when the value of the housing market was increasing at such a pace that your home was worth more each and every day!

As someone who struck out on her own at a very earlier age, met the love of my life and started a family.  I found this very inspirational and helped me lay out the foundation to be able to try and do something similar for my own children.

Wanda and Harry, thank you for letting me be a part of your story!  And what a beautiful “farggin” story it is!

- Jennifer xoxo