Friends, family, listeners and those bold enough to be here -
If you’re here for just a moment, know this: Grand Exit invites all of us—Tamatha, Chelsea, and you—to go deeper with the people, ideas, and conversations that surround us every day, waiting to be engaged.
This week’s episode is especially meaningful, as we sit down with the incredible Merle Saferstein to explore the profound topic of legacy—what we wish for it and the reality that it’s not ours to decide.
The Backstory: Legacy in Action
From Chelsea
Merle Saferstein is a remarkable Legacy Educator and Author who turned 80 last week (happy birthday, Merle!). She was also my Grandy’s mentor and a household name in my family.
Merle has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing stories:
She’s recorded the wisdom of Holocaust survivors.
She’s captured the voices of elderly individuals in South Florida.
She’s built deep connections with those who allow her to see into their lives.
Though I grew up hearing about Merle through my Grandy, I didn’t meet her until Grandy’s funeral. It was there that Merle learned how much she had influenced my Grandy—whose lessons, poems, and “isms” that shaped my family were inspired by Merle herself.
This unexpected legacy moment was a testament to how stories—and the people who share them—live on in ways we can’t anticipate.
From Tamatha
I never met Grandy. Over the past five years, I’ve relied on Chelsea and others to build my connection to her, and I feel close to her through their stories. I strongly believe Grandy introduced Chelsea to me and gave me the opportunity to carry forward a legacy she authored but couldn’t fully dictate.
Sitting down with Merle was a precious gift—a chance to deepen my understanding of Grandy’s life and reflect on her legacy. Through Merle’s kind and thoughtful storytelling, I found myself asking questions for Grandy I’ll never hear answered:
“Are there limitations to one’s legacy?”
“How are we doing in telling and living yours?”
“What words of wisdom would you share with us today?”
Why Listen to This Episode?
In this heartfelt conversation, Merle shares:
🟩 Insights into preserving stories and crafting a legacy with intention.
🟩 Her reflections on being a mentor to Chelsea’s Grandy.
🟩 The importance of thinking deeply about the stories we leave behind.
Merle’s voice and wisdom guide us to explore the profound truth: Your legacy is not up to you. Your life is.
With gratitude for NOW,
Tamatha and Chelsea
P.S. More about Merle's Work
📘 Check out her new book, Wisdom of the Century, here
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