Page 4 - Boca ViewPointe - June '20

Page 4, Viewpointe June 2020

Go Ahead, Make Mistakes

By Judith Levy You’ll never know what might have been, but he loved music. His friends told him it’s a mistake,
Unless you give it your best shot, forget about music and get a good job as a waiter. Irving
Oops! You made a mistake. Sometimes you’ll win, sometimes you’ll lose, took his chances and ended up writing songs that America
Well, grandfathers want to But give it everything you’ve got. will always sing, like Easter Parade, White Christmas and
impart to their grandchildren “Take a chance, my child,” he would smile and say. God Bless America.
the necessity of making “You can see from here to there, but if you want to get The refusal to be discouraged is something grandfathers
mistakes. They know that somewhere you have to reach beyond where you can see. want to inculcate. The very successful ones point to
every plus begins with a And if you fall down, pick yourself up, and keep going. themselves as role models but even the grandfathers who
minus, so it’s important to take When you finally get to your goal, you’ll know it was worth gave up their ambitions and took jobs that paid a wage they
risks and learn from the times the journey.” could count on to support their family, they too want their
you fall on your face. What is In history we have lots of people who were told, grandchildren to reach and grab onto the American dream.
it they say, “Don’t worry about mistakes, that’s why we have don’t do it, it will never work. Suppose they had And it’s not just their grandsons that they encourage; they
erasers on pencils.” listened? Suppose they were discouraged when they want their granddaughters to aspire as well. They don’t
I’m one of ten children and in a group like that you can get made mistakes? The Wright brothers would have kept on want them to just marry the doctor, they want them to be
lost, but I was fortunate to have my dear grandfather Jacob who riding bicycles, Jonas Salk would have given up finding the doctor. As far as they’re concerned, forget about glass
loved and guided me. Grandpa had no money to give me but he the vaccine to eradicate polio, David Sarnoff would not ceilings, Grandpa says you can do anything.
gave me a precious gift when he encouraged me not to be afraid have taken a chance to convince people that a music box We’ve even had a grandfather and a grandson as
to try. This poem summarizes what he tried to impart to me and could bring news, sports events, and symphonies into presidents of our country. There was William Henry
it always made me willing to stick my neck out just a little. every home, followed by television, which became a huge Harrison elected in 1841 and then half a century later
part of our lives. Benjamin Harrison was elected to the highest office in our
When grandfathers were growing up comic books land. I guess his grandfather gave him good advice. The
talked about going to the moon, but who really believed advice many of today’s grandfathers want to impart, is to
that? Well, people who weren’t afraid to make mistakes, take reasonable risks, make some mistakes, but learn and
who ignored each naysayer, succeeded in rocketing Neil don’t make the same mistake twice.
Armstrong to the moon on July 20, 1969. Every American I think grandmothers would agree.
was thrilled to hear Armstrong say, “That’s one small step
for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Judith Levy is the New York Times best selling author of
Irving Berlin started out as a busker, that’s someone who GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS which has sold over 4
sings on street corners for money. He didn’t speak English million copies and the mega best seller GRANDFATHER
very well and could play the piano only on the black keys, REMEMBERS, published by HarperCollins. 

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Reflections on What Really Matters:

for Estate Planning and for Life

By Martin Zevin, Attorney My mother-in-law was a sweet, loving woman. But
As I sit home writing this, her son, whom she loved dearly, married a woman who
with my wife of 44 years in she couldn’t stand. Her son was caught in the middle, but,
the kitchen and our only son as is usually the case, sided with his wife. And because of
working from his apartment that, my mother-in-law lost her relationship with not only
in California, I’m reflecting her son, but her granddaughter as well.
on what really matters. This I’m sounding more like a preacher than a lawyer. But
world crisis has given me time here’s the legal advice: as long as you’re alive, there’s an
to see things in perspective. opportunity to forgive. To heal. To bring peace to yourself.
I’ve been waking every If you’ve cut out a son or a daughter from your will or trust,
morning saying “Thank You, consider putting them back in. If you can reconcile with
God” and repeating it constantly all day and night. I have them, on any level, it would be beautiful. But even if you
such deep gratitude for the roof over our heads, food to can’t, the mere act of making him or her an heir again is
eat, each other to hug and our son safe, healthy and still a great act of forgiveness and love.
working. These days, I (and many other lawyers) are working
Through all my years of assisting clients with Estate remotely. So I can talk to you on the phone and we
Planning, I have seen so many parents who are alienated can amend trusts, make new wills or change any other
from one or more children. I hear things like: “I haven’t documents without physically being in the room together.
talked to my son in 20 years.” Or: “My daughter has said Once we have prepared the new documents, we e-mail
things to me that I can never forgive. I want her out of the or regular mail them to you with detailed instructions for
will.” It always makes me sad. But as a lawyer, I do what signing.
the client asks. The Estate ends up going to a charity, or a And if you are lucky enough to have a wonderful
sibling or a friend. And charities and siblings and friends relationship with your children, count your blessings---and
are certainly all worthy. give them a call.
And yes, children can be mean or selfish or inconsiderate. Please feel free to call me for a free personal or phone
But in this moment, writing this as a man and a father and consultation regarding any issues pertaining to wills,
a son to two parents who were far from the greatest, but trusts, estates and probate. I am also available for free
who gave me life, I say to any one reading: This is a time consultation regarding personal injury claims or car
to forgive. Forgiveness is healing. If you can, leave this insurance coverage. Call me at 954-569-4878. My address
Earth having forgiven everyone, especially those closest is 3275 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 204, Deerfield Beach,
to you. And forgive yourself, too. Forgiveness brings Florida 33442. My website is www.martinzevinpa.com
peace. and my e-mail address is martinzevin@netzero.com.