Do you Give to Save or Save to Give?

This brave-hearted woman saved to give...but she also gave to save. Say what? After hearing the story of Grace Groner, I officially recognize her as a BraveHeart Woman in spirit.

Grace was orphaned at the age of 12. Family friends took both her and her sister in and not only gave them the love they needed but also college educations at Lake Forest College north of Chicago.

Like others who lived through the Great Depression, Grace was content to live frugally in a sparsely furnished one-bedroom home. Reportedly, she bought her clothes at rummage sales. Grace loved people and they loved her for who she was, not for what she had or didn't have.

Grace worked as a secretary for 43 years. She had the foresight in 1931 to make a $180 stock purchase and let it grow. She set up a small scholarship program at Lake Forest College so that students could have a brighter future. I wonder if any of them actually got to know and thank her for her generosity.

Here's the stunner...Grace died recently and the news broke that she was a multimillionaire. Her attorney had the pleasure of telling the president of Lake Forest College that Grace wanted her 7 million dollars to go into a foundation that will enable many of the college's 1300 students to pursue internships and study-abroad programs.

Why did Grace wait to give her greatest gift of wealth until after she died? Was her priority in life to be able to give her greatest gift of love to people that she felt were her true friends because they had no clue that she was wealthy?

Do we as wealthy, brave-hearted women have to choose to give love or wealth at different life stages as Grace did or can we do both while we enjoy both love and wealth?

How does Grace's life story make you feel?

With love, compassion and empowerment,

Amelia