The day my dad died was always going to be tough. Just four years earlier, the whole family had gathered in celebration of his 70th birthday. This time, we came together to share our loss. 

While my siblings struggled with their sorrow and hugged arriving guests, I slipped into his bedroom and found what he called “our envelope.” It contained all of the important papers we’d need to go on without him. He’d pulled me aside during his birthday party and walked me through everything. 

“Now?” I’d asked. I didn’t want to hear it. No one ever does, really. “Yes,” he insisted, adding, “One of these days you will be glad we did.” 

He was right. The envelope held his life insurance policy, his burial and cancer policies, his military discharge certificate and other important records we’d need to manage the many, many details and decisions we faced after losing him. 

And in the emotional turmoil of his death, I was glad to have it. He wanted to leave us without chaos, and as I held the envelope up, I closed my eyes and whispered, “Thank you, Dad. Thank you!” Going through it, it really hit home what my dad’s love and planning did for us — and why, to this day, the Golden Envelope program I introduced at my agency, in his honor, is so important to the people I talk to about life insurance. 

All his planning made our transition seamless. Our envelope wasn’t golden. It was just a plain manila envelope — but its contents were gold. His insurance policies helped us move forward without his ongoing financial support. And having all the details organized in one place left time and space for my family to grieve. 

As a Farmers^® agent in Fort Smith, in the Arkansas River Valley, I sell life insurance, along with many other types of insurance. I like to help people identify the coverage options that might fit their needs. But life insurance holds a very special place in my heart because it reminds me of my dad’s legacy. I like to tell customers, I can help you create your own Golden Envelope — for you, for your family, for your future.