My Real Inheritance: Cherished Memories Over Cash

As a terminal cancer patient, a recent chat with my parents about updating my estate documents tossed me into a whirlwind of emotions—and not the fun kind. You know, the kind that feels like you’re on a wild rollercoaster. While it might seem like a dry legal matter, this process was a heartfelt reminder of how fragile life is. It got me thinking: what do I really want to leave my kids? And no, I’m not talking about my impressive collection of mismatched socks. Seriously… where is their other half?

Let’s face it: the financial inheritance I’m planning to leave them is going to be about as impressive as my mismatched sock collection! It’s safe to say my dreams of retirement went poof once cancer decided to crash the party, forcing me out of the workforce just when I had more than 20 years of investing lined up. With post-mortem child support and debts chomping down on any potential inheritance, my kids won’t have much to toss into their savings. But as I sit here reflecting, I realise that the real treasure I want to leave behind doesn’t come with a price tag.

What Do I Want to be Remembered For?

Have you ever thought about your legacy? Not the ‘I was MVP of my eleventh-grade volleyball team’ kind, but the kind that leaves an actual impact? I often find myself pondering what my kids, boyfriend, family, and friends should remember me for—beyond my unmatched ability to boil a pot of water dry. What kind of footprint do I want to leave on this world? How have I contributed to our communities?

The legacy I envision is a blend of these key elements:

Communities We Cherish

I’ve always been that mom who believes in exposing her kids to everything from athletics to the arts—you know, like a smorgasbord of experiences. Swimming? Done. Dance? You bet! Rock climbing? Let’s be real, I’ll just cheer from the ground! Each of these adventures allows my kids to dabble in things they might not get a chance to try otherwise.

And as for our French roots? You can bet I’m on a mission to make sure my home is a mini-Paris. We speak French at home, watch movies in French, and attend cultural events that showcase our heritage. What kid doesn’t want to go “sugaring off” in Calgary?

Our family’s health advocacy journey started long before my diagnosis. Victoria, at just 4 years old, raised $155 for her Terry Fox School Run, and I thought, “Wow, this kid’s going places!” Little did I know that this small spark would blossom into something much bigger. Much, much bigger. Nicolas joined in when he was five, and since then, they’ve collectively raised over $70,000 for cancer research.

Values and Character

Now, let me lay down the values my kids will hopefully adopt along their journey: earnestness, empathy, and a great sense of humour (because, let’s face it, life is a whole lot funnier when you can laugh at yourself). I aim to embody those characteristics that matter: being trustworthy, genuine, and slightly quirky—because I don’t want to be remembered as boring.

Traditions to Cherish

Traditions? We have plenty! Our annual birthday photo shoots feature me desperately trying to capture that perfect shot with everyone smiling and looking at the camera. Every year, I gift my kids a silver Christmas ornament, which is a tradition my parents started. But, I think my favourite is our “Best things of the day” routine. Since my kids’ birth, I’ve been sharing the best things of my day with my kids, and once they were old enough to speak, they joined in the fun. We share our “best things of the day” before bedtime, rarely skipping a day—because, why not end the day on a high note instead of worrying about what went wrong? This has become such a ritual that they even invite visitors to participate.

And let’s not forget our giving back to our communities as a family. I tell my kids we can tackle any cause they’re passionate about—it could even be a fundraiser for the “Save the Unicorns” foundation if that’s what they dream up. But for now, we’re all focused on helping Terry Fox finish his Marathon of Hope dream.

The Mark I Hope to Leave

When it comes down to it, I hope my kids walk away with the skills to be good humans and engaged citizens. I want them to create memories they can look back on fondly—and to cherish traditions they will eventually pass on (sorry, future grandkids).

So, as I navigate this complex journey, I’m reminded that the impact we have on others transcends financial inheritance. It’s the laughter, the love, and the memories that live on in our hearts. I may not be leaving them a trust fund, but I’m leaving a legacy filled with humour and love, proving that laughter really is the best medicine—even if it comes wrapped in a little bit of chaos. Here’s to living, laughing, and enjoying life to the fullest!

Happy new year! I’m ready to welcome 2026!

If you enjoyed this blog post, I always enjoy receiving a coffee to say so. You can send me a gift here!