Case Closed: Claiming Permanent Authority ⚖️🎉
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Dear Family, We talk a lot in this community about being the "Invisible CEO." We talk about the audits, the infrastructure, and the high-stakes decisions we make behind closed doors. But today, we are talking about a Win. 🛡️ In Episode 116, we welcome back Mary Hels-Jager. You might remember her from Episode 30—back then, she was in the thick of a harrowing legal battle, navigating gang-related safety risks in Chicago parks and the "slow and cumbersome" foster care system. Today, the "Permanent Authority" papers are signed. The adoption is final. The Raw Truth: The "Club Sandwich" Generation During our conversation, Mary said something that stopped me in my tracks. We’ve all heard of the "Sandwich Generation"—those caught between raising kids and caring for aging parents. But Mary says we are the "Triple-Decker" (or the Club Sandwich) Generation. 🥪
Think about it:
The Bottom Layer: A 4-year-old toddler with trauma-impacted "hardware."
The Middle Layer: Adult children who still need "gas money" and emotional support.
The Top Layer: Aging parents (Mary’s 85-year-old mother) who need medical advocacy and power of attorney.
The Toothpick: That’s you—the one holding four generations together so the whole thing doesn't fall apart.
My own life has felt like a "Triple-Decker" lately, balancing the move closer to family with the grief of losing my father. Hearing Mary talk about the "messy middle"—how she managed a final adoption hearing while also selling her mother’s home—reminded me that we aren't looking for a "sitcom" life. We are looking for stability.
Inside the Project: Episode #116 This Week’s Guest: Mary Hels-Jager | From Red Tape to Family Legacy Mary reveals the exact moment the "system woke up" in court. It wasn't because she was polite; it was because she demanded a Breakout Room and forced the professionals to address the safety gaps they were ignoring. We also discuss:
[🎧 LISTEN TO EPISODE #116: Mary Hels-Jager] The Reflection RoomMary shared a story about an 86-year-old family baptismal gown that she had been waiting years to use. Because the legal battle was so long, her granddaughter was too big to wear it by the time the adoption was final. So, she folded it into a little purse for the four-year-old to carry. Ask yourself today: What "baptismal gown" have you been holding in storage? What joy have you delayed because of the uncertainty of the system? A CEO doesn't wait for perfect conditions to launch a culture of love. Are you willing to "fold the gown" and find a new way to celebrate your family’s history today? The Toolbox: Tactical Moves
You are the architect of a new legacy, and your perseverance is the foundation they stand on. We are 2.7 million strong. Still nurturing, and still here. See you in the next boardroom, Laura Brazan Founder, The 2.7 Million Project/Host of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity |
Legacy Builder Newsletter
Weekly Podcast Spotlight. Recommended Reads. Inspiring Stories.
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