I Believe Family Is Very Important
It's the beginning of another new week, and I am in a thoughtful mood.
In my immediate family, there is only me, my two brothers, their wives, my one married niece,my nephew (still single) left. But since the beginning of the year, I have been hearing about all these close (and maybe in some cases, not so close) individuals I grew up with who have now passed on. The latest one was my next door neighbor whose daughter found him on the living room floor, just a few years my senior. he was always a very frugal person (I thought) but he DID like his beer and I remember him buying property and investing in them in improvements. In fact, when I had to move to an apartment, he was a little upset that I didn't offer our house to him - I had no idea he WANTED it. Now I hear that his kids had to wake him at home because they had no money for a funeral home and for a proper burial. I wish his estranged kids luck - the body will be ice cold before they stop fighting over anything they may be getting.
I haven't done that to my remaining siblings, their children, or their significant others/wives. Although I didn't want to think about it (still don't), I had a will made out when my father did, too. All personal property and furniture goes to my youngest brother for useage, donations, or disposal. I have sufficient life insurance to bury me and have a decent wake service. I have chosen the funeral home and pallbearers. While all this sounds crass, I remember when Dad died and my one brother wanted to take over and wanted to run the "whole show". But he didn't know what Dad wanted. Thank God I did.
Both my brothers are aware of these arrangements. If one goes before I do, the other can take over administration. Family is important - and I want things to go smoothly when the time is at a premium.
In my immediate family, there is only me, my two brothers, their wives, my one married niece,my nephew (still single) left. But since the beginning of the year, I have been hearing about all these close (and maybe in some cases, not so close) individuals I grew up with who have now passed on. The latest one was my next door neighbor whose daughter found him on the living room floor, just a few years my senior. he was always a very frugal person (I thought) but he DID like his beer and I remember him buying property and investing in them in improvements. In fact, when I had to move to an apartment, he was a little upset that I didn't offer our house to him - I had no idea he WANTED it. Now I hear that his kids had to wake him at home because they had no money for a funeral home and for a proper burial. I wish his estranged kids luck - the body will be ice cold before they stop fighting over anything they may be getting.
I haven't done that to my remaining siblings, their children, or their significant others/wives. Although I didn't want to think about it (still don't), I had a will made out when my father did, too. All personal property and furniture goes to my youngest brother for useage, donations, or disposal. I have sufficient life insurance to bury me and have a decent wake service. I have chosen the funeral home and pallbearers. While all this sounds crass, I remember when Dad died and my one brother wanted to take over and wanted to run the "whole show". But he didn't know what Dad wanted. Thank God I did.
Both my brothers are aware of these arrangements. If one goes before I do, the other can take over administration. Family is important - and I want things to go smoothly when the time is at a premium.
61-69, F
