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DECEMBER 2024
901-388-5808 DouglassRunger.com Pen to Paper How Handwritten Letters Bring People Together
I’m big on handwritten letters, which seems like a bit of a lost art today. It feels special when you know someone took the time to pick out a card, collect their thoughts, put pen to paper, and send you a message from the heart. Dec. 7, National Letter Writing Day, reminds us to use this heartfelt mode of communication. In a world of text messages and quick emails, a handwritten note or letter stands out as a tangible reminder of the connections we hold dear.
also try to write notes for team members on a work anniversary or a special achievement. While it’s harder to keep up with everyone as our team grows, handwritten notes are still a tradition I hold on to. Writing things by hand helps the information stick and forces us to be more present with our thoughts. I’m more intentional about the message of a letter when I’m writing it out. It just takes more effort than sending out a quick email or text. In our technology-focused world, it’s all too easy to respond and move on from it rapidly. When you receive a handwritten letter from someone, you know they put time and thought into their words and even just the process of getting it to you. As someone who values acts of service, a written card is a perfect act to show someone how much you care. I’m not into possessions or stuff like that, so what’s meaningful to me is people showing gratitude for each other and expressing it in writing. I have a really nice wooden box my parents gave me with an old photo of my mom in my office filled with cards I’ve received from people over the years. Some are just birthday cards, and others are from my office staff or past clients. I go through those notes sometimes and reflect on my gratitude when someone makes this kind gesture. It’s especially meaningful to receive a handwritten letter from a former client and know you made a positive impact in someone’s life. There’s something powerful about taking a moment to pause, reflect, and put pen to paper. When someone sets aside time in their day to send a handwritten note, it’s a gesture that goes beyond words — it’s an act of kindness, of giving without expecting anything in return. As much as I love receiving these letters, I also feel a sense of gratitude when I send one, knowing I’m part of that same tradition of sharing a little joy and connection with others. So, next time someone does something nice for you, gives you a present, or for no reason whatsoever, consider taking the time to write them a card or drop them a note. You’ll make them feel special knowing you took the time to put pen to paper.
I can trace my love of handwritten letters back to elementary school. My teacher taught our class about pen pals and every student wrote out a card, tied it to a balloon, and sent the balloons off, just hoping someone would find it and write back to us. We left instructions on the cards, letting people know how to write us back, and waited. A couple of months went by, but a man named Larry actually wrote me back! His card to me said that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail when he spotted my balloon in a tree, retrieved it, and wrote me back! Larry was my “pen pal,” and that was my first memory of ever receiving a handwritten letter from someone! It stuck with me all these years. As I got older, writing thank-you cards became more routine. I remember writing thank-you cards for teachers at the end of a school year, probably with a nudge from my mom, and being thrilled when they wrote me back. This early habit of showing appreciation through handwritten letters has also carried over into my business well. Every year around Christmas, I write thank-you cards, taking the time to put down a few words that mean more than just a preprinted signature. I
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Cat-apulting Into History The Feline-Flying Military Tactic That Never Took Off
Throughout military history, you’ll find strategic experiments ranging from the genius to the downright bizarre. But few can top the zany brainchild of Franz Helm, a 16th-century German artillery aficionado whose bright idea left historians — and cat lovers — utterly bewildered. Let’s set the scene with Helm’s magnum opus, the “Feuer Buech,” published in 1584, a treasure trove of ( literally ) explosive innovations in warfare. Imagine this: a battlefield in the Renaissance, not just filled with the clang of swords and the thunder of cannons, but also — wait for it — flying, flaming cats. Yes, you read that right. Franz Helm’s groundbreaking military tactic involved jetpacks for cats. Picture a kitty, strapped with a sack of gunpowder, zipping through the air like a furry missile aimed at enemy strongholds. The hope? These feline projectiles would scamper back to their homes — presumably in enemy territory — and start a blazing inferno. One can only wonder about how they would train cats to become arsonists.
The method was straightforward: kidnap an enemy cat, strap it into a gunpowder-laden backpack, light the fuse, and hope Mr. Whiskers doesn’t get cold paws about blowing up its evil overlords. Preserved for posterity at the University of Pennsylvania, the “Feuer Buech” reminds us of the lengths human creativity can go — especially when combined with a profound misunderstanding of cat behavior. As any cat owner will tell you, cats have their own agendas. The chances of a cat completing its fiery mission are about as high as it bringing you the morning newspaper. Thankfully, we have no evidence that this pyrotechnic plan ever came to pass. Considering cats’ notorious independence, we can rest assured that no self-respecting felines took part in these explosive escapades. So, next time you’re cuddling with your cat, be thankful its biggest inclination is to knock pens off your table rather than infiltrate enemy castles with fire.
Holiday Giving for the Future
How to Include Charity in Your Estate Plan
The holiday season is all about giving to others. As you start planning out your presents for loved ones, it’s also a good time to consider how to incorporate that generosity into your legacy. Whether you want to start a scholarship fund at your old school or do something for your community, adding philanthropy to your estate plan is a gift that will extend long after the holidays are through. Get ready to wrap up your estate plan in a seasonal bow by adding charitable giving to your plan. DIRECT BEQUESTS One of the most straightforward ways to include a charity in your estate plan is with a bequest in your will or trust. Once you select a nonprofit organization you want to support, you can specify a dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or even an asset, like a collection, to leave to them in your estate plan. One of the main benefits of this option is it allows you to manage and control your assets
trusts can offer opportunities to earn tax deductions and lower estate taxes. Charitable Remainder Trusts allow you to transfer assets to an irrevocable trust that pays you or your beneficiaries an income stream for a set period. Once that period is over, any remaining assets and funds will go to your selected charity. There are also Charitable Lead Trusts, which make annual payments to a charity you choose for a set period, and then the remaining assets go to your beneficiaries. Including charitable giving in your estate plan is a powerful way to leave a lasting impact on the people and causes you hold dear. There are different options on how you can best make a gift to a philanthropic cause, but each will give you the ability to support the organizations you love. If you want to make the holiday spirit of giving part of your story for generations to come, contact Douglass & Runger to explore which strategy is right for you!
during your life and ensures your gift goes where it needs to once you pass away.
CHARITABLE TRUSTS Charitable trusts are another way to support philanthropic causes. Along with providing funds to a charity that needs them, these
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Every new year brings changes, and as the end of 2024 draws near, it’s the perfect time to review your estate plan. Giving your estate plan a financial once-over is essential to tie up loose ends, account for changes in your personal life, and start the new year with peace of mind. From inventorying your assets to updating your beneficiaries, an end-of-year estate plan check-up can secure your legacy and protect your loved ones. REVIEW YOUR BENEFICIARIES AND REPRESENTATIVES Your beneficiaries are the people you leave assets to in your plan and are often children and other family members. Over time, the people in your life may change, or their needs may shift. These life changes could warrant revisions or updates to your estate planning documents. If a named beneficiary dies, falls ill, or experiences a monumental life change, such as a marriage or the birth of a child, it may be a good time to reexamine your estate planning documents. It’s also good practice to look at your executor or trustee, the people who will manage your estate at the end of every year. INVENTORY YOUR ASSETS As you acquire new assets or wealth, your estate plan should reflect those assets. If you purchased a new home, sold a business, or inherited property, those are all good reasons to update your plan. List the value of your new assets and gather any related financial statements. The failure to consider new assets in your estate plan could lead to unintended costs and confusion for your loved ones down the line. MAKE YOUR FINANCIAL GIFTS You can give a certain amount of money every year without incurring gift taxes or filing a gift tax return if you do it before Dec. 31. Under federal tax law, you can transfer gifts tax-free if they meet the annual gift tax exclusion, which changes every year based on inflation. In 2024, you can give up to $18,000 to each recipient without tax consequences. If your gift exceeds that amount, the excess will be taxable. If you would like assistance reviewing your estate planning documents, give us a call at 901-388-5805 to schedule an appointment with one of our seasoned estate planning lawyers. Finish Strong End-of-Year Essentials for Your Estate Plan
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
Creamy Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients •
1 tbsp coconut oil 2 cups chopped yellow onion
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1/4 cup almond butter
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3 cups diced carrots 3 cups peeled, diced sweet potatoes Salt and pepper to taste Cayenne pepper (optional)
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp minced fresh ginger 2 tbsp red curry paste
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4 cups vegetable broth, divided
Directions 1. Melt coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté for 5–6 minutes. Stir in curry paste. 2. In a small bowl, whisk 1/3 cup broth with the almond butter until smooth. Add the mixture to the pot, along with the carrots, sweet potatoes, salt and pepper, and remaining vegetable broth. Stir to combine. 3. Bring soup to a low boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. 4. Blend with an immersion blender until the soup is smooth. 5. Season with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more spice if desired. INSPIRATION “The purpose of life is a
life of purpose.” —Robert Byrne
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1 Celebrating Connection, One Note at a Time 2 Unravel the Myth of the 16th-Century Rocket Cat Leave a Legacy of Generosity 3 Refresh Your Estate Plan With This Handy Checklist Creamy Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup 4 Conquer Picky Eating INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Picky Eaters How to Help Kids Enjoy More Foods No matter where you go in the world, most kids are picky eaters. According to a study published in Frontier, about 54% of kids are reluctant to try new foods. In the U.S., many kids will scoff at anything but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In France, it’s probably peanut butter and creme fraiche. And good luck getting Scandinavian kids to eat anything that doesn’t taste like black licorice or pickled herring! In all seriousness, parents everywhere have a similar problem. So, what’s the solution? SMALL STEPS Kids go through many different dietary phases as they grow up. While frustrating, it is common for young kids to go through their “picky eater” phase. Some common tactics parents employ to counter this, however, are counterproductive . For instance, making kids eat everything on their plates can be stressful and make them even pickier than before. Instead, serving smaller portions is more helpful, especially when the foods are unfamiliar. ROLE MODELS When it comes to food, parents should lead by example. Eating together as a family and demonstrating how you enjoy the foods you
are trying to introduce to your kids can go a long way to getting them to try new cuisine. While you’re at it, describing what you’re serving is a good idea so the textures and flavors don’t catch them off-guard. INTRODUCING NEW FOODS Building on the previous tips, introducing new foods, even in very small amounts, can help expand a child’s culinary boundaries over time. Even if the child does not eat the food the first time you put it on their plate, or even the fifth time, they will naturally become more familiar and comfortable with it. Studies show that you may need to feature new foods on their plates up to 15 times before kids are willing to try them!
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