At the end of a long day, a boss I had early in my career would often tell me, “No more today, Henry. My brain is full.” I found his comments rather amusing at the time, but the older I get the more truthful his words become. Memories can slowly fade away as the cares and pressures of the present drown out the recollections of the past. It’s so easy to forget.
This is one reason I’ve always enjoyed the month of May—it ushers in a special season of honor and remembrance. We honor our mothers on Mother’s Day, remember our fallen heroes on Memorial Day, and then honor our fathers on Father’s Day just before summer begins. It’s surely a good thing to remember and thank God for our parents and those who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Without them we wouldn’t be here today, so it’s right and important to honor the blessing of their influence and sacrifice in a meaningful way.
The Institute for Creation Research, too, has greatly benefited from gifts made in honor or memory of loved ones. We received many tributes to my father, Dr. Henry M. Morris III, soon after his homegoing in December, and these were a very special encouragement to me. They are often the most personal expressions of support we receive and are usually accompanied by touching stories of the person and their love for our ministry. ICR is deeply humbled by these gifts, knowing that the donors made them with a great deal of thought and care.
Gifts are made in memory of loved ones long after the Lord has called them home. To this day, ICR still receives memorial gifts for my grandfather, ICR founder Dr. Henry M. Morris, who went home to glory over 15 years ago. Still others are made in honor of a living person who significantly impacted the donor’s life. In every case, these gifts produce a deep sense of connection—not only with the person being honored but also with the ministry the gift supports.
We count it a sweet privilege to partner with supporters who wish to acknowledge a loved one this way. For memorial gifts, ICR will send a letter to the family with words of comfort and encouragement. For gifts in honor of a special person, ICR is delighted to send your designee a grateful letter informing the person of your gift in his or her honor. ICR will provide a copy of every letter prepared on your behalf, along with our grateful thanks and a tax-deductible receipt for your gift.
If you’d like to pay tribute to someone in this special way, please provide ICR with the following information—either in writing or online at ICR.org/donate—along with your gift.
- Name of the person to honor (living) or remember (in glory)
- Names and addresses of those to be notified of your gift (amounts will not be mentioned)
- His or her relationship to you and to those being notified
It is good to remember loved ones who have gone on to glory and honor those whose lives have deeply touched ours. ICR stands ready to work with you. But most importantly, we must remember the One whose work and name established the greatest memorial of all. “I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old…and talk of Your deeds” (Psalm 77:11-12). “But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your name to all generations” (Psalm 102:12). May we daily remember and honor the name of the Lord.
* Mr. Morris is Director of Donor Relations at the Institute for Creation Research.
