I recently had a wake-up call at a TIGER 21 meeting, thanks to my TIGER colleague and good friend Tom McKelvey. I was giving the Marvin Blum pictorial life story as part of my annual Portfolio Defense. I came to a photo of Laurie and me at Trinity Valley School with Adam in football uniform and Lizzy in cheerleader uniform. I described the picture as the all-time highlight of my life, quoting the title from Jack Nicholson’s epic movie by labeling the photo “As Good As It Gets.”
In the feedback after my presentation, Tom challenged me: “You say that picture was ‘as good as it gets.’ I submit to you that this time in your life right now is ‘as good as it gets.’”
That revelation was startling to me. Here I was winding the clock back 25 years to describe the best moment of my life, and Tom is jolting me into the realization that right now is “as good as it gets.”
How tempting it is to overlook the blessings in our lives and assume our best is behind us or in front of us. Tom pointed out that I’m healthy, married to the love of my life, have terrific kids and five wonderful grandkids, and enjoy a fulfilling career. The song “The Best of Times Is Now” starts ringing in my head.
Kasia Flanagan who documents life stories at everydaylegacies.com had a similar wake-up call. In her March 1, 2024 newsletter, Flanagan confesses to feeling burdened by jugging her business, young family, serving at church, and all that life throws her way. “Too often these days, I am caught up in the busyness of the time, with stress from kids, work, family, and lack of sleep overwhelming me. I’m sad to admit that I generally spend a lot more time dreaming about the future (and these days being past us) than I do being grateful for the present.” Then, when Flanagan interviewed a client who was looking back on her life, the matriarch described the early hectic years with her family as “among the best of her life.” Flanagan suddenly realized the blessings of her current life. She poses the question: “What have been the best days of your life?” It very well may be right now.
As an estate planning attorney, it’s my mission to help clients build and pass down a family legacy. That legacy is the sum of meaningful moments, like the simple yet profound one I’m living right now as I cuddle with my five grandkids. Thanks, Tom and Kasia, for waking me up to count my blessings and realize that today is my best day. Perhaps this post may do the same for some of you.
Then: Marvin and Laurie Blum in a lifetime highlight moment 25 years ago with football player son Adam and cheerleader daughter Lizzy. Now: Marvin Blum with his five grandkids, truly “as good as it gets.”