To Inspire:

Earlier this week my siblings and I attended the funeral of our first cousin, Sarah Davison. Sarah is the daughter of our mom’s younger sister. Only 63, Sarah died after a short but valiant battle with cancer. She and her husband, Tim, were married 38 years and while they had no children, they created one of the largest “families” anyone could have – hundreds!

You see, shortly after they married, Sarah and Tim got involved with the Granville High School women’s sports program, particularly the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams. And they’ve stayed involved all these years. They’ve gotten to know the girls and their parents, attended all the games (and many of the practices), served as scorekeepers and videographers and provided roses to each athlete at the end of the season team banquet. And Sarah’s chocolate chip cookies (provided at the end of every game) became a cherished tradition. Coaches could rely on them to help with virtually anything that their team needed. Both Sarah and Tim were employed at Motorists Mutual (now Encova) and went in early each day so they could leave in time for practices and games. And while Tim retired a couple of years ago, Sarah continued to work at Encova right up until her illness.

Beyond all their support for the athletes and coaches, Sarah and Tim remembered team members and coaches’ birthdays – with cards, phone calls and of course – chocolate chip cookies. And if you were fortunate enough to receive one of Sarah’s hand knitted afghan blankets, well you knew you were truly loved!

Sarah brought this same love and care to her many years as a 4^th-6^th grade Sunday School teacher at Granville United Methodist Church, where we gathered for her Celebration of Life service.

The remembrances that have poured in since her death have astounded all of us. Tributes from student athletes that graduated years ago – remembering Sarah and Tim’s deep devotion to them and to women’s sports at Granville High School. Tributes from current athletes, parents of athletes, and the coaches they served over the years continue to flow as well as from other Sunday School teachers and parents of her Sunday School classes. It has been a remarkable outpouring of love from so many people and such a blessing to her two surviving sisters and their families – and the rest of us in the extended family.

I share all of this because as I reflect on Sarah’s life, I realize that she and Tim invested in the highest returning asset of all – people. They gave their love, time, and talents to generations of student athletes and coaches and the return they received in joy was far more than any stock or mutual fund could ever provide.

Perhaps my cousin Sarah’s life can be an inspiration for all of us to invest deeply in those we love so much: our spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, and those in need. Like Sarah and Tim, give, give, give every day to others – your time, your talent, and yes, even some of your treasure. Never stop giving; you’ll make the world a better place and you’ll finish your life having amassed a fortune of love, gratitude and joy – the best type of wealth to leave behind. It will reflect quite a return, don’t you think – not only to you but to all those you’ve loved.

Have a great weekend!!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-Founder