By Bob Groeneveld /Langley Advance Times
.
Every family has tales to tell – but those tales often change from generation to generation – or they can be lost altogether.
“Stories are the glue that keeps families connected. They define who we are as people and how we live our lives,” said long-time journalist Dean Broughton. “And too often these stories are lost.”
Broughton, who grew up in Aldergrove and started his journalism career at the Langley Advance 28 years ago, wants to help people preserve their families’ memories.
He has developed a booklet and website, www.yourlivinglegacy.com, to offer people a methodical way to reveal and protect their stories.
The writer of thousands of stories through his career will be hosting a one-hour workshop to help people preserve the power of their legacy at the Langley Hospice Society’s Future Planning Day on April. 13 to
“Your stories are important to those who follow you,” he said, “and I will make it easy for you to make sure those stories aren’t lost.”
After the Advance, Broughton was the founding editor of the Vancouver 24 Hours free daily newspaper, and recently left the Vancouver Sun.
He will be leading the Future Planning Day’s opening workshop, “Your Life Story - How to Craft Your Living Legacy,” from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
That will be followed by “Advance Care Planning - Starting the Conversation,” led by Cari Hoffman, Fraser Health advance care planning coordinator.
Running from 10:15 a.m. until lunch at 12:15 p.m., Hoffman’s workshop aims to help people through a communication barrier that many families have, to prepare for a future that could include a health crisis.
At 1 p.m., after a lunch of tea and sandwiches (available by donation), Scotia Securities financial advisor Tanya Lyn Werk will launch into an hour of “Financial Decision Making.”
A wife, mother of two, and grandmother of seven, Werk has 20 years of financial experience to share.
Bernice Kristoff-Trowell of Avisar Chartered Accountants follows with an understanding of tax implications, Joanna M. Haban of the Taylor Law Group will cover off the legal end of planning for the future.
The day’s workshops are being held at the Langley School District boardroom, 4875-222nd St. They are free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested. Register and RSVP by email to: info@langleyhospice.com or call 604-530-1115.