As some of you may know, this Sunday is a special day for me; it will be my first Mother's Day. My husband, Kyle, and I were blessed with two beautiful baby girls last year, and they are the lights of our lives! Nothing gives me more joy than to watch them continue to grow and develop their personalities.
What you may not know is that I am also celebrating another milestone this year: being cancer-free. Just after I had my twins last summer, I learned I had cancer and immediately began treatments. It was a whirlwind undergoing chemo, learning to be a first-time mother to twins, and figuring out what the future looked like for our family. While I am happy now in remission, that time last summer is etched into my memory — the barrage of emotions, the weighty decisions, the vast life adjustments.
During this time, I also gained tremendous clarity on what it means to have a purposeful life. And it got me thinking about how we help our clients find purpose in their lives, too. Our Chief Development Officer, Daniel Goeddel, issued a challenge to our firm last summer to develop our individual "elevator pitches" for the firm. The one-sentence lines we would use to tell people about the heart and soul of our firm and what makes us different.
As I lay in my hospital bed for a week, having come down with an infection due to my chemo-compromised immune system, Dan's challenge came to mind. It was the first time I was away from the twins after they were born for more than just one night,and I couldn't have any visitors because of Covid-19. As I lay there, pondering, a phrase suddenly came to me:
"We give purpose to your money so that you can be present in your life."
Let me tell you what I mean by this.
When you hold your newborn baby for the first time, and they wrapped their finger around yours, were you thinking, "Do I need to increase my investment exposure in the technology and financial sector due to current market conditions?" No.
When you are watching that same child walk across the stage at their graduation as they lift their diploma in excitement, will you ask yourself, "What is the tax implication of withdrawing the left-over funds in their 529 accounts?" No.
When that child yells "Happy Retirement" as you walk into a room filled with your closest family, friends, and co-workers celebrating the end of a 40-year career, will it cross your mind? "Did I save enough money to last the next 40 years and continue to live the lifestyle that I have become accustomed to?" Of course not.
And when that child stands beside your grave after peacefully passing away in your sleep after a long 90-year life, they won't have to be thinking, "Did Dad complete his estate planning documents and have insurance in place to plan for our family?" That will be the last thing on their mind.
Why? Because you are our client. Here at Gatewood Wealth Solutions, we give purpose to your money so you can give meaning to and be present in your life. With your goals as our objective, we look at all aspects of your financial situation, from income and estate tax planning to risk and investment management. We provide solutions to life's most challenging questions through a customized service commitment based on your family's complexity, leaving you free to enjoy life's best moments.
Life's best moments might be different for everyone. But for me, these are the moments I spend with my growing family — for whom I am incredibly thankful this Mother's Day.
----
Disclosures:
Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.