What do you want your children to remember about you many years from now when you are gone?

OK, this is not exactly a cheerful subject for a newsletter. But I have learned over the years that thinking about and thinking through a sad thing always ends up giving me something positive to think about.

As the children and I watched my husband die after a long, productive, and happy life I kept thinking about the true legacy he left his children. By the way we were wonderfully supported by hospice during this difficult time and I am slowly recovering from the arduous months of caregiving although I will never get over the loss. Working on my columns and website helps me deal with my grief so thank you all for helping me in this journey.

My husband left his four children much more than what was in his will. He left them his values: the love of hard work, the love of doing a job right, honesty, helping others less fortunate, and the importance of family. He left them his love of nature and the outdoors. He taught them the skills of the outdoors like fishing and boating. He taught them to love learning and reading and travel and music.

What legacy do you want to leave your children? Think about it once in a while because the legacy I am talking about isn’t passed on at the time of death. It starts early with what you teach your children and the kind of person you model for them. It is the measure of a man (or woman) that shows your children what really matters to you.

Think about it.

WORRIED ABOUT TOY SAFETY?

If you have children in the baby/toddler stages you can test their toys with "LeadCheck Swabs" available in the paint department of home improvement stores and online. Of course all savvy parents will pay attention to toy safety and recalls but remember the best toys don’t necessarily come from toy stores. Watch for my ParenTip "TOYS" which will be posted on ParentKidsRight.com on October 15, 2007.