“All giving starts with your heart, then you use your head.” – Marjorie S. Fisher
Have you ever wished for just one more conversation with someone you love—one more chance to ask about a photograph, a place, or a chapter of their life you never fully understood?
I have.
And every time that feeling returns, I’m reminded that legacy is so much more than documents on a shelf. Legacy is story. It’s what our families think, feel, and remember when they speak our names.
This month, many of us will gather around tables and living rooms. It’s the perfect time to invite stories forward. Bring a few photos from an old album, sit beside an elder, and ask gentle questions:
What was happening here?
Who were your friends?
What were you worried about—and what helped you through?
You may be amazed at what comes alive.
I’ll never forget driving my mom through her old neighborhoods after she was diagnosed with dementia. At first, nothing looked familiar. But when we turned onto the street where she grew up, her memory lit up. She named the street, pointed out where Aunt Lil had lived, and even remembered her house number—even though the house was long gone.
For the rest of the afternoon, she told story after story. I took notes. It was a gift.
That spirit is exactly why our December theme is Gather the Stories While You Can, and why I’m so excited to share this month’s Smart Women Talk interviews. We’re approaching legacy from two sides: Preserving the personal stories that make a life and Carrying family values forward through purpose and philanthropy.
Our first guest, Lauren Ferrara, former TV news anchor and founder of Why Wait Stories, shares how she shifted from breaking news to helping families preserve the stories that matter most. In our conversation, we talk about loss, legacy, and why there’s no such thing as an “ordinary” life when it’s told with heart.
Then, I’m proud to share an encore interview with Phillip Fisher and his daughter Amanda Fisher about how family values shaped the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation—and how they are carrying those values into future generations.
As many of you know, my husband played French horn with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for 42 years. That’s where I first met Phillip, Chair Emeritus of the DSO, whose leadership helped guide the orchestra through some of its most challenging years. His work, and his family’s philanthropic vision, continue to make a difference for thousands of people today.
Smart Tip:
If you’re gathering with loved ones this month, consider giving the gift of a question to someone whose story you want to preserve. Simply press “record” on your phone—or jot down notes as you listen. Ask about first jobs, big risks, mentors, music, meals, moments of joy, and the miracles that shaped them. Capture their laugh. Save the details only they can tell.
Because in the end, the life we lead becomes the legacy we leave. Gather the stories while you still can.
A survivor of loss and abuse, Katana turned adversity into purpose by launching Smart Women’s Empowerment, a nonprofit project of United Charitable, dedicated to helping women take charge of their money and their lives. Through her 8-week financial literacy course Unlock Your Financial Power, her inspirational ezine Smart Women Smart Choices, and her long-running podcast Smart Women Talk, Katana continues to educate, inspire, and uplift women around the world.To learn more and connect with Katana, visit www.katanaabbott.com