Leaving a Legacy

Today's date has stood out for me as far back as I can remember. June 7th was the day my father died. I was 8 years old. He died exactly one week after my birthday.

I've always taken time on June 7th to recall my father and all that I remember of him. And all the traits I'm told that I inherited. I know he was a proud man who believed strongly in his faith, his country and his family.

I've treasured all the stories people have told me about him, always looking for something to hold onto. I know that a legacy is something you create with your actions, your beliefs and how you choose to live. He only lived 39 years, but he left a legacy.

I've learned to value June 7th for another reason for nearly 10 years as well. State Farm began on June 7, 1922. We celebrate this day every year as Founder's Day with pomp and circumstance recalling the 'old days' and optimistically projecting what the future will be like. Today we celebrated our 90th anniversary. That's quite a feat these days with companies that come and go.

I'm proud to work for a company that believes in many of things my father believed in. I'm part of my father's legacy, and now I'm part of State Farm's legacy as well. We're a State Farm family as Bill celebrates 10 years with the company in a few months, and I celebrated 7 years in January. And with all the State Farm influence of living in Bloomington Ellie has already told us she plans to work there too. That, too, is quite a legacy!