Legacy 
Gifts 

One family’
s tradition of giving 
gifts that last generations.

N

ot that a macaroni 
necklace or coupons 
for a daddy-daughter 
tea party aren’
t coveted, but 
there’
s a different 
kind of special 
connected to a 
gift with a “story 
for the ages.” It 
may be some-
thing that war-
rants narrative 
— or that needs 
no words; a gift 
that comes with history — or 
one that creates its own.
The search for a 90th 

birthday gift for my dad led 
to something perfect, memo-
rable, long-standing, person-
al and one-of-a-kind. 
Beyond his role as patri-
arch of our immediate family 
of children, grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren, my 
dad Jerry Liebman is also 
beloved by and closely tied 
to a large, extended group of 
relatives.
Through an interactive gift 
plan, we put out an all-points 
bulletin to collect birthday 
greetings from family mem-
bers far and wide, and print-
ed them on a template, each 
inside one of various-shaped 

talk bubbles.
The compilation of 90 
funny and touching thoughts 
and memories of how he 
inspires, impacts and teaches 
us is framed in my parents’
 
house to be read and reread 
and reread.
On another wall in their 
home is a wood framed 
wrapped canvas history of 
our family, created for their 
60th wedding anniversary. 

A sketch of a tree is cen-
tered with the names of my 
parents, branching out to 
include every member who 
was born into or joined our 
family from their 1954 mar-
riage until the anniversary 
date. The only downfall is 
the best of all possible dilem-
mas: how to add the names 
of those who have come 
along since.
Our granddaughter, Shira 

gift guide 2019

Shelli Liebman 
Dorfman
Contributing 
Writer

Miriam Liebman displays 
her unique graduation gift.

Jerry Liebman, displaying the 
gift he received three years ago 
for his 90th birthday. Behind 
him is the family tree created 
for him and his wife, Ceil for 
their 60th wedding anniversary.

This family history was a 
60th anniversary present to 
Ceil and Jerry Liebman. 

PHOTOS COURTESY LIEBMAN FAMILY

38 | DECEMBER 19 • 2019 

