Here is the “back story”of Living Legacies:

In the late 90’s, after my mother had a stroke, my brother and I—who until that time had been her primary caregivers—went through the process of having to move her to a skilled nursing facility. We chose the historic La Maison Hospitaliere in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Because the stroke had put grave limitations on Mother’s ability to communicate, I sensed that her integration into this new community would be greatly hampered. How could they possibly know her as a vibrant, intelligent woman? How could she transcend her broken body requiring medicines, bathing, and assistance with meals? How could relationships be built without appreciation of the whole person? And how I wished we had not procrastinated writing down or recording her memories of her remarkable life. But it was not too late.

Realizing other residents there were in the same predicament, the idea of Living Legacies emerged—to create a sensitive booklet about each of their lives with pictures of family and friends that would introduce them to staff and caregivers. I approached the Administrator, Dr. Andrew B. Sandler. He encouraged my vision, and I began to create Living Legacies for many of their residents.

The efforts produced greater than unexpected results. Family members found the process of sharing photographs and information to be healing to their own grief. The residents loved the personal interest and attention. Staff members were suddenly able to relate and hold meaningful conversations with their patients. The facility consistently displayed the work, with permission, to new families as they explored admission; and La Maison continued to use the Living Legacies collection as excellent public relations material. Sadly Hurricane Katrina made reopening the facility impossible.

Even when I am old and gray, O Lord,
do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to this generation
and your power to those who are to come.
Ps. 71:18