I love this line: "another day that brings you closer to your last." I was at a funeral yesterday, talking to a friend I have known for many years. She was the nanny for my grandsons when they were little. They are adults now. Family and friends were gathered together for a meal celebrating the life of the deceased. I turned to my friend and asked her a question. She is from France and has lived here for 35 years. Her family is in France. I asked her where she wanted to be buried. I knew she wouldn't take offense at that, and she didn't, but the question captured the interest of others at the table. I shared with her that my wife, who she knew very well, would pull out a folder each summer, and we would sit at the dining room table to update our funeral plans. It was a ritual of security for her. She liked to put things behind her, so as part of our plans, we discussed what we could get rid of. What possessions, debts, etc., could we eliminate so our family wouldn't have to worry about them? The process of an annual review of our end-of-life plans was reassuring. It helped us focus on the inevitable and the blessings of the present at the same time. My wife passed in April of last year. Her plan was implemented to the letter, just as she wanted it. It is hard to update mine without her, but I know how important it is.
I’m sorry for your loss, Bill. I hope it brought some comfort to be able to fulfill your wife’s final wishes. I’m very inspired by your idea of an “annual review” of end of life wishes.
I love this line: "another day that brings you closer to your last." I was at a funeral yesterday, talking to a friend I have known for many years. She was the nanny for my grandsons when they were little. They are adults now. Family and friends were gathered together for a meal celebrating the life of the deceased. I turned to my friend and asked her a question. She is from France and has lived here for 35 years. Her family is in France. I asked her where she wanted to be buried. I knew she wouldn't take offense at that, and she didn't, but the question captured the interest of others at the table. I shared with her that my wife, who she knew very well, would pull out a folder each summer, and we would sit at the dining room table to update our funeral plans. It was a ritual of security for her. She liked to put things behind her, so as part of our plans, we discussed what we could get rid of. What possessions, debts, etc., could we eliminate so our family wouldn't have to worry about them? The process of an annual review of our end-of-life plans was reassuring. It helped us focus on the inevitable and the blessings of the present at the same time. My wife passed in April of last year. Her plan was implemented to the letter, just as she wanted it. It is hard to update mine without her, but I know how important it is.
I’m sorry for your loss, Bill. I hope it brought some comfort to be able to fulfill your wife’s final wishes. I’m very inspired by your idea of an “annual review” of end of life wishes.