‘Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name. In some ways, men can be immortal.’ - Ernest Hemingway.

     It’s never a painless or uncomplicated thing to lose a loved one. One of the toughest aspects of the ongoing struggle with the pandemic has been the inability for so many people to say goodbye to loved ones, much less comfort them.

     Maybe that is why Hemingway’s quote is actually reassuring. Suppose that you could still feel and appreciate the spirit and the positivity of a recently departed loved one? The concept is universal enough to have surfaced in everything from ancient Egyptian texts, to a novel by a French contemporary of Hemingway’s, writer, and most recently, the anonymous graffiti artist Banksy.  (Oh, and also in a much underappreciated Al Pacino’s film, Stand Up Guys.) 

     If somebody still can generate a smile or a laugh, or leave behind Something that makes a small piece of the world better, then in someway, it feels like they are still with us…and having an impact. Could there be a better way of celebrating the spirit and individuality of that person than a specific charitable gift, or act?

     For almost twenty-five years, Link Charity has been doing just that. What is the best definition of what your Father cared deeply about, or sums him up most precisely? That spirit can live on, and help any number of people. They will never meet him physically, but he can still be making a positive impact. Was there more than one important cause that moved them? By using our Gift Annuities, multiple charities can be supported under the umbrella of one annuity. That saves time, money, and effort…which means more of the money goes to the thing they cared about most. (Likewise, Link Charity’s experience in estate planning can save hundreds of dollars in fees and taxes.)

       Another popular option is creating a Family Foundation, through a Donor Advised Funds program. Again, by saving on the costs of and legalities of a family creating their own, that means you are maximizing the giving power of the person whose spirit you want to celebrate and honour. 

       As another Fathers Day and Mothers Day have just passed, it’s an especially poignant time for those who no longer have that person in their life to celebrate, to buy a card for, or even just call on the phone. Celebrating the legacy and spirit not only helps keep the essence of the person who has passed ‘alive’, it also gives the people dealing with the loss a constructive and positive outlet. On the surface, yes, it is about legacy. More deeply, if your loved one is somehow doing something good and positive, then Hemingway is right. They Are alive. (Love Is a death-defying act, apparently.)

     On a cross-Canada radio show discussing how Father’s Day effected those who had lost their Dad, one woman recounted coming home from the hospital the day her Father passed. His all-time favourite thing in life was Christmas, and she pulled into her driveway to see her normally dormant Christmas lights all fully illuminated, thanks to her husband. She said, for that moment, the sadness and grief were temporarily replaced by remembering her father’s joy, and the essence of how much he appreciated being alive.



      If you have lost a loved one, what is their equivalent of ‘Christmas Lights’? Give their memory the gift of living on through kindness, and contact Link Charity. Safe to say - the person who passed would undoubtedly prefer that you balance out any sadness and grief with a bit of celebration of what they brought to the world. And what they Still could be bringing to the world. Turn on those lights.