Who knows when?

I had a client pass away unexpectedly last week.

Sigh…

What an abrupt reminder of who knows when it will happen to any of us.

With the news came a wash of thoughts, emotions and questions.

Two of which I want to share with you, hoping to get you thinking or move you to action. 

First, despite condolence cards being one of the most challenging to write and send, (what can one possibly say that doesn’t sound trite, or remind the person of their recent loss) having been on the receiving end; I know it isn’t what people say, it’s knowing that they acknowledge your loss and are offering you kind words or a remembrance of the one who is gone.

So please, the next time someone you know passes away, or someone you know loses someone they care about, send a card.  Just a few words, reminding all of us about our heartfelt connections.

Second, coping with the emotions of losing someone is hard.  Don’t make the mechanics of it be an addition burden.

“Get your papers in order!”, I say in my bossiest voice.

This is the one area where it’s okay to do things Justin Case.

Decide not only on who is going to take care of the legal end of things, but who will handle the personal tasks and obligations.

Give someone a key to your house, let people know where to find your important papers and documents.  Make a list of your bank account numbers.

Figure out who needs to know, and who’d you’d like to know, if something were to happen to you.

Need some help figuring out just what paperwork might be important?

Erin Doland from UnClutterer has this article.

Lynda Schrager’s Caregiver Blog offers this advice.

And here is a Checklist of Documents, Including Forms.

Because we really don’t know when the last time will be when we’ll see someone, or which might be our final conversation, be as kind and loving as possible-in every moment.

Death makes it so obvious that it isn’t about our stuff.

It truly is about our connections.

You get to choose.

Karen