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Remembering to Put Family First
"When you lose a part of your family, it's hard. Not having to give up the things that you love means a lot."
Family was the most important thing in Brian Sanders' life. Since he passed away in 2004 from a brain tumor at age 46, the memories he left his wife, Linda, and their children, Shannon, 17, and Connor, 15, remind them of his devotion.
Shannon and Connor recall how he never missed a swim meet, always cheering them on and pushing them to do their best. Linda recollects their wedding - an intimate candlelight ceremony on Valentine's Day. To calm her nerves, Brian kissed her and told her how wonderful their life would be.
Brian also left them a tangible reminder of his devotion in the form of a life insurance policy from United of Omaha, a Mutual of Omaha company. Years earlier, as he watched a football game with neighbor and Mutual of Omaha representative Mike Collins, the subject came up. They discussed whether the life insurance provided through his job as a firefighter in Racine, Wis., was enough to put his kids through school and maintain the family's lifestyle if something were to happen to him. Even though he was young and healthy, the conversation left an impression on Brian. Later, he talked it over with Linda. "Before I knew it, he brought home the paperwork and it was done," she said.
Brian decided a $200,000 policy would cover the family's needs. That policy now is helping the way Brian intended. With Mike's help, Linda invested for the kids' educations as well as her own retirement, and purchased life insurance and disability insurance for herself.
Being able to take time off work to grieve and to help Shannon and Connor grieve was another comfort the life insurance afforded her. As Shannon applies to colleges, Linda is thankful she doesn't have to worry about whether tuition will be a burden. The insurance also allowed them to maintain some stability during trying times. "When you lose a part of your family, it's hard," Shannon said. "Not having to give up the things that you love means a lot."
Linda said Brian would be proud of how she and the kids have helped each other through the rough times, and she's thankful they were able to do that surrounded by their memories in the home they shared with Brian - a home where family will always come first.