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You Can’t Take It With You
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October 2025
More Than a Trip LESSONS FROM THE GRAND CANYON
Some places stick with you. For me, one of those places is the Grand Canyon.
in the right spot. It was a little scary but unforgettable. Something about facing a fear like that and coming through stays with you. Years later, after my mom passed, I wrote “A Grief and Loss Companion.” While writing it, I didn’t consciously think about the Grand Canyon, but I see now how that trip quietly found its way into my book. So much of what I wrote — about staying physically active, finding perspective, leaning on others, and not letting yourself get stuck — was all there. I just didn’t have words for it. In hindsight, I realize my mom gave me more than a trip. She gave me a way to move forward. That shaped how I show up for clients, too. I don’t try to fix grief. I just try to meet people where they are and remind them they’re not going through it alone. That’s what helped me. And sometimes, that’s enough. A Question to Ask (or Answer for) a Loved One Asking and answering important questions helps preserve your family’s values and life lessons for generations to come. What season of life do you feel you’re in right now, and what do you think might be just around the corner?
I was 15 the first time I went. It was the summer after my dad passed away, and my mom decided we needed a change of scenery for a couple of days. I’m not sure if she planned it to help us grieve or just went with her gut, but it ended up being exactly what I needed. It was just me, my mom, and my cousin, and we went on a rafting trip down the Colorado River. When we arrived, we stayed the night at Bright Angel Lodge before hiking 9 miles down the canyon to Phantom Ranch the next morning. The descent was long, hot, and quiet. My mom was 57 at the time — the same age I am now. I can’t imagine doing that hike myself today, but she made it all the way down with very little help. I didn’t think much of that then. I do now. Even if I didn’t know it, the trip pulled me out of a fog. I didn’t talk much about my dad or even where I was emotionally, but I know I didn’t feel alone. And I think being on the river mattered more than I realized. My dad loved rivers, especially canoeing, and maybe being on the Colorado gave me a way to stay close to him while slowly learning to let go. There was also something about the physical effort and the awe of the place that gave me space to feel things without having to explain them. It was my first time learning that healing doesn’t always come from sitting still. We camped out every night along the river. I don’t remember long conversations, but it felt good to be experiencing it all with other people. Even when I was quiet or off by myself, I didn’t feel isolated. We’d raft during the day, camp, sit by the fire, and prepare for the next stretch. The daily rhythm of everything was comforting. Beyond the experience of being on the water in such an amazing place, one thing I keep coming back to is a moment from the rim of the canyon. Before we hiked down, I remember seeing a rock formation at the bottom. From up top, it didn’t look much bigger than a person. But once we got closer, it was enormous. That showed me how easy it is to misjudge things from a distance. Sometimes, you need a new view to really see. Another moment from the trip that still stands out was a hike to a waterfall. Our guide knew there was a hidden cave behind it, but to reach it, we had to dive under the water and trust we’d come up
Philip J. Corson, Founder
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” ECCLESIASTES 3:1
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The Child-Free Retirement Playbook
SECURE, SMART, AND SATISFYING
When you look into why people decide to create an estate plan, you’ll find a common thread connecting the top reasons. Many people want to leave money or assets to their heirs, ensure their kids have a prosperous future, and provide a plan regarding guardianship for any minor children. Many common reasons for estate planning involve children, but what if you never had any? Is it still necessary to create an estate plan? Do you need to take other actions to plan for your senior years properly? For starters, everyone should establish an estate plan, regardless of age, family situation, finances, or health. Creating an estate plan allows you to lay out your wishes for various aspects of your life. You can determine what will happen to your money and personal possessions, who can make health care and financial decisions
on your behalf, and more. Establishing an estate plan lets you gain peace of mind about the future while ensuring your loved ones follow your wishes. When looking toward your senior years, estate planning will only get you so far. You should take other actions to ensure you can enjoy retirement comfortably. Consider looking into long-term care insurance to help offset assisted living costs and other facilities. Get out of your comfort zone to meet new people and find a network that provides assistance, encouragement, and support. You can do this by getting more involved with your community, church, or other local organizations. Another thing you should do is list out all your important information. Keep records of your bank accounts, insurance policies, important contact information, monthly
bills, and upcoming medical appointments. Having this information on hand will make everything easier if someone else has to step in to help out. Your senior years do not have to be confusing, challenging, or lonely if you have never had children. By taking action and making plans, you can make the most of your retirement and enjoy it to the fullest!
CREATIVE TRICKS TO BEAT DOGGY BOREDOM KEEP THOSE PAWS BUSY
Teach a new trick. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Training sessions teach obedience and provide mental exercise! Whether it’s “shake,” “spin,” or even “put your toys away,” learning something new gives your dog a sense of purpose and boosts your bond. Schedule short, interactive play breaks. Even five minutes of fetch or tug-of-war can break up the day and add excitement. Short bursts of play are especially great for working pet parents or anyone with a packed schedule. Enrichment on a budget. You don’t need to spend a lot to keep your pup engaged. With a bit of creativity, cardboard boxes, old towels, and even ice cubes with treats frozen inside can become boredom busters. Think of it as DIY enrichment!
Have you ever come home to find chewed shoes, shredded pillows, or your trash mysteriously scattered across the floor? If your dog has become a one-pup demolition crew, boredom might be the culprit. Like us, dogs need mental stimulation and activities to keep their minds sharp and their behavior in check. The good news is that you don’t need fancy gadgets or
endless free time to keep your dog happy. A few simple tricks can go a long way in keeping their tails wagging and your belongings intact. Make mealtime a game. Ditch the food bowl and turn mealtime into a brain workout. Try using treat-dispensing toys or puzzle feeders that make your dog work for its food. You can also scatter kibble around the house or yard and let them “hunt” it down. It taps into their instincts and keeps them busy in a fun and rewarding way. Rotate toys to keep things fresh. If your dog has a pile of toys but only plays with one or two, it might be time to mix things up. Keep half of the toys hidden and rotate them out every few days. This keeps things new and exciting, even if your pup has seen the toy before.
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The phrase “history is written by the victors” has been around since the French Revolution, and it can make you wonder how truthful far-fetched historical stories actually are. For example, consider the famous WWII story about the USS O’Bannon. This ship notoriously sank a Japanese submarine using potatoes, but let’s take a closer look to separate fact from fiction. In early April 1943, the crew of the USS O’Bannon was returning to the island of Tulagi when they were asked to check out a submarine that had made contact with the surface not far from their location. It was a dark night, but the waters were calm, so it didn’t take long for the crew to spot a Japanese submarine 2,000 yards away. The sub headed right for their ship, and once it was less than 1,000 yards away, the O’Bannon crew knew they were face-to-face with the enemy. What Really Happened Aboard the O’Bannon? THE TATER TALE THAT TORPEDOES THE TRUTH
TAKE A BREAK
CANDY GOURD HAUNTING LEAVES LIBRA MARIGOLD MOON OPAL PUMPKIN SOUP TEACHERS TOUCHDOWN
The O’Bannon unloaded their artillery at the Japanese sub, causing significant damage. They turned around for a second attack, and then a third attack until the sub sank below the surface. They were victorious, but when did potatoes come into play? It depends on the source you check. Commander MacDonald of the USS O’Bannon never mentions potatoes in the official report of the incident. He’s even gone as far as stating it never happened. However, a book called “Action Tonight” by James David Horan
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
Ingredients
• Olive oil • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 3/4 cup flour • 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 1 oz ranch seasoning, store-bought (1 packet) or homemade • Cooking spray
goes into meticulous detail about the events of that fateful night. Horan states that the crew threw everything they could at the Japanese submarine, including bolts, pieces of artillery, and potatoes. Other publications have repeated this story, noting that potatoes knocked Japanese sailors into the water, leading to the sinking of the submarine. Crew members have also stated that they saw people throwing potatoes. Now, 80 years removed from the event, many O’Bannon crew members have passed away. We’ll never know whether this story is true, but one detail may illuminate the truth. The USS O’Bannon was never closer than 90 yards to the submarine. Unless they had someone with the arm of an NFL- caliber quarterback on board, it’s unlikely that anyone hit the Japanese sub with a potato.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil and set aside. 2. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. 3. Set out three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the second bowl. Mix panko, Parmesan, and ranch seasoning mix in the third bowl. 4. For coating, dip seasoned chicken breasts in flour, coating both sides. Then, dip the chicken in the beaten eggs and, finally, the panko mixture. 5. Place each coated chicken breast in the prepared baking dish. 6. Spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. 7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 F and is golden brown.
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803-746-7000 planningyourlegacy.com PO Box 100 Bowling Green, SC 29703
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Finding Meaning on the River
Planning a Meaningful Future Without Dependents
Tail-Wagging Tips to Keep Your Dog Mentally Stimulated
3
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
The USS O’Bannon Potato Incident
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Boost Your Emotional Intelligence With These 3 Empathy Skills
Unlock Stronger Bonds With These 3 Tools THE EMPATHY EFFECT
Emotional Empathy: Feeling With Others This kind of empathy tugs at your heartstrings when someone you love is hurting. Emotional empathy lets you actually feel what another person feels. It’s powerful, but it can also be overwhelming. To strengthen emotional empathy, put distractions away during conversations, make eye contact, and be present. When we give people our full attention, our emotional receptors are activated. If you feel emotionally overloaded, though, it’s okay to take a breather. Boundaries are a healthy part of empathy, too. Compassionate Empathy: Acting on Understanding Compassionate empathy goes beyond understanding and feeling; it’s about doing something helpful. For example, if your
Empathy quite literally holds our relationships together. It helps us connect, understand, and support one another. But did you know empathy isn’t just one thing? It comes in three distinct forms, each playing a unique role in how we relate to others. Cognitive Empathy: Understanding the Mind Cognitive empathy involves mentally stepping into someone else’s shoes to understand their thoughts. For example, if your friend is ranting about a frustrating day at work, cognitive empathy helps you understand and relate. If you want to build this skill, practice active listening. Instead of planning your response while someone’s talking, focus entirely on their words. Then, reflect on what you’ve heard. Phrases like “It sounds like you’re feeling ...” can go a long way.
partner is anxious about an upcoming presentation, you can show compassionate empathy by noticing and offering to run through their slides with them. To show compassionate empathy, ask yourself, “How can I lighten their load right now?” Even small gestures like texting to offer help can build trust and deepen connections. When all three types of empathy are present, relationships thrive. You understand, feel, and act, and while not every situation calls for all three, being aware of each type can make you a better friend, partner, parent, or teammate.
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