Moldaw Residents Reflect On Important Life Experiences, Write 'Legacy Letters' For Their Families

From Moldaw Residences:

Often people look back and wish they had written down more about themselves or shared more about their personal life’s journey after it is too late to capture such memories.

As young children, many enjoy listening to a grandparent tell stories of the past, but Palo Alto’s innovative retirement community Moldaw Residences wants to provide opportunities to ensure those kinds of memories are not forgotten over the years.

Moldaw recently began encouraging residents to start writing down their life lessons, significant memories and personal values so that family members can hold on to such details about their heritage for years to come.

Several residents at Moldaw have been reflecting on their lives and discussing what details should be included in “legacy letters” to their family members.

“I think this is such an important and truly beneficial experience for all involved,” said Darren Trisel, executive director at Moldaw Residences. “It’s greatly appreciated by the family members and friends who receive the letters, but it’s also valuable for the individual doing the writing to have a chance to reflect and analyze certain phases of his or her life. It allows the person the opportunity to think about what he or she wants others to remember in the future and why.”

The residents look through samples of legacy letters and use writing prompts to help them explore personal experiences that they may not have thought about in some time. They already have started conversing with family members about some of the content they are writing, which helps generate more ideas and memories to capture. It has been uplifting for the residents to discuss what they are writing and build relationships based on shared experiences.

One resident who has been participating, Susan Vogel, thinks of her two children and seven grandchildren as she works through writing prompts and reflects.

“I have found the writing process to be incredibly motivating and intriguing,” said Vogel. “I wish my husband would’ve done something like this before he passed away. This gives me the opportunity to share stories, experiences and values with my family. They’ll always be able to hear my ‘voice’ and perspective when they read through my memories.”

Vogel has enjoyed how this process has led to interesting discussions among her family members and broadened her scope about how to ensure she is living an enriched life now.

“These letters are not meant to be ‘teachy-preachy’ messages about how we want our children and grandchildren to live when we’re gone; these reflections help us capture and share special memories and life’s significant lessons that give our loved ones a deeper understanding of our values,” said Vogel. “It also helps us to see ways we can start enjoying life more now with the loved ones for whom we are writing. After sharing a draft with my two sons, at their invitation, I’ve already started enjoying more visits and the opportunity to hear my son play the cello, which I hadn’t been able to do very often before. It’s been a very meaningful explorative process of what is most important in my life.”

“The entire process of writing out a legacy letter or ethical will helps people identify what they value most and can bring about a true sense of purpose in many regards,” said Thia Tran, lifestyles director at Moldaw. “Many here at Moldaw have never done something like this before, but we at Moldaw, encourage them to examine themselves in a different way and tap into their personal memories that should be passed on to future generations.”

Note to media: If you are interested in covering this story or arranging an interview with any of the participating residents at Moldaw, email Gabrielle Wallace at gwallace@fortegroupinc.com or call (214) 890-7912, ext. 41 or contact Amy Jones at ajones@fortegroupinc.com, or at ext. 30.

ABOUT MOLDAW RESIDENCES

Moldaw Residences is an innovative retirement community located at the 8.5 acre Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, adjacent to the 130,000 square foot Oshman Family Jewish Community Center. As a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), Moldaw Residences enables older adults to age in place by providing independent living, assisted living and memory support. Opened in 2009, Moldaw Residences offers 193 maintenance free, spacious apartment homes and extensive social and cultural amenities. Affiliated with the Jewish Senior Living Group, it is open to all faiths, ethnicities, and racial background.

For more information about Moldaw Residences of Palo Alto, visitwww.moldaw.org or call (800) 873-9614.