Seventy-seven years ago today, my grandparents were married. They exemplify the rich life that I write about in this blog and aspire to as well. I have never known two people who were as generous as grandpa and grandma Richardson. In the years when people had to get sponsors to come to the US, my grandparents sponsored a dozen families or more. They helped pay for the educate of new Americans making it possible for them to pursue a life they never dreamed possible. For some, they paid for their four year degree, others they helped to pay for graduate school and one man, they paid for his doctoral studies which enable him to have a long career working for DuPont. The lives they touched were amazing.

From as far back as I can remember, Grandma had a sewing group that met weekly at her house. Five to seven ladies would come to my grandparents mountain home each week and sew school bags and clothes for children through and organization called Church World Service. When I visited my grandparents, it was rare to find my grandmother without something she was sewing in her hands. She always thought about others and what she could do to make a difference. I can remember semi truck loads of clothes and school supplies being shipped from Waynesville, NC to help children all over the world. She collected pencils, notebook paper, and other school supplies to fill these bags mad e from scraps of material.

Late in her life she was the caregiver for her wealthy older sister. When my great Aunt died, my grandmother inherited a large sum of money which she methodically gave away to causes she cared about including the Heifer Project, Compassion International, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, and countless fine charitable organizations. My grandparents believed in giving others a lift in life.

As a present to my grandfather who served many years as a pastor, my grandmother started a college scholarship fund at a Florida Southern College for students pursuing a career in the ministry. Without my grandfather ever knowing, she raised money at church bazaars, through bake sales, and by asking for contributions from the people who knew and loved my grandfather over the years. On his 75^th birthday, she presented him with a certificate stating that over $100,000 had been put into an endowment fund to help young people get an education.

One of the greatest treasures I have are recordings of both of my grandparents talking about their lives from as early as they can remember even up to their last years. My grandmother loved to read and I loved to hear her read even long after I became an adult. She would Uncle Remus books and a very non-political correct book called Old Adam and his Chillin’. As she read, she would use a variety of voices for the different characters and races represented though their wasn’t a racist bone in her 5′0″, ninety five pound body. She loved all people and helped anyone who needed help who was willing to help themselves.

The blessing both my grandparents received over the years were tremendous. Many children shared the legacy of their names. Extended family members of those who were helped by my grandparents visited and stay in communication with her right up until her death in 2003 at the age of ninety-seven. To me, they represent the legacy of a life well lived and they truly were some of the richest people I have ever known.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com