My parents put everything in a trust fund for me. I won't get it

Hear the tender yet wise words of Heather O’Rourke, child star whose life was brief yet whose voice carried innocence mixed with foresight: “My parents put everything in a trust fund for me. I won’t get it until I’m 18, so I’ll use it for college.” In this simple saying lies the weight of generations, the wisdom of planning for the future, and the faith of parents who desired to preserve their child’s gifts until the hour of maturity. Though spoken with the freshness of youth, her words resound as an ancient lesson: that what is earned must be guarded, and what is guarded must be used with purpose.

The meaning of the quote is clear: wealth or opportunity is not only for the present but also for the future. The trust fund becomes more than a store of money—it is a vessel of discipline, a promise that certain treasures must not be wasted in the folly of the moment, but kept safe until wisdom is ready to wield them. For a child to say, “I will use it for college,” is to glimpse the truth that riches find their highest worth not in indulgence, but in preparing for the road ahead.

The origin lies in O’Rourke’s own life as an actress, known for her role in Poltergeist. Her sudden fame and income could easily have been squandered, as has happened to many young stars. But her parents, seeking her good, placed her earnings into a trust fund, shielding her from waste and protecting her from those who might exploit her youth. In this way, her life became a reflection of ancient wisdom: that guardianship is a sacred duty, and that foresight is often a greater gift than present abundance.

History itself speaks of similar lessons. Consider Alexander the Great, who, though heir to Philip’s kingdom, was guided and educated with care before ever he touched the fullness of his inheritance. His father ensured that resources, teachers, and discipline were set aside to prepare him, for only in maturity could he wield the vast empire he would later command. So too does Heather’s quote mirror this truth: that treasures locked away until the proper season become instruments of destiny, while treasures squandered in youth often destroy those who hold them.

But the story is not only about wealth. The trust fund becomes a symbol of all the gifts entrusted to us—our talents, our time, our opportunities. Too often, people seek immediate gratification, exhausting their strength on pleasures that vanish. Yet wisdom whispers that some things must be guarded, saved, and matured until the right hour. A gift used in its season bears fruit; a gift spent too early withers and leaves only regret.

The lesson is clear: guard what has been given to you. Whether it is wealth, talent, or opportunity, treat it as if it were in a trust fund, waiting for its rightful moment. Do not spend all your energy on the present, but set aside a portion for the future. And when that hour comes, use it wisely—not for vanity, but for growth, learning, and the building of a foundation that will endure.

Therefore, let these words of a young girl, spoken in innocence, become for us an eternal teaching. Prepare for the future, even while living in the present. Honor the sacrifices of those who safeguard your path. And when the treasure, whether of money, skill, or opportunity, is placed in your hands, spend it not on fleeting whims, but on what endures. For just as Heather dreamed of college, so too must we invest in what raises the mind, strengthens the spirit, and prepares us for the journey of life.