Friday Fill In - 8/29/2008

To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.
— Henry Drummond

1. When I'm sick I'm usually in denial until I end up having to go to the doctor.

2. When I take a walk, I think about how much farther I have to go.

3. Money can't buy happiness but it can make things easier.

4. Cotton makes me think of ironing and leather makes me think of purses (okay, I'm sick).

5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was Jack Nicholson (he just fascinates me . . . I think he's odd but just love his voice and smirk).

6. My favorite color these days is green because our grass is brown since we haven't had any significant, consistent rain since the beginning of July.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to planning for Sunday, tomorrow my plans include cooking for Sunday and Sunday, I want to have a house full of friends . . . our annual get together!

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As I mentioned earlier this week, our friend Bill died last Friday. His funeral was Wednesday. He was 53. He and his wife had absolutely no plans in place. Linda didn't know whether he wanted to be cremated or buried, did he want a funeral service or religious celebration. She isn't even sure about how much insurance he had or whether or not they had mortgage insurance.

In talking to Bill's brother, he said that after spending the weekend with Linda and dealing with all these issues, he and his wife spent Monday evening, talking about what they wanted, how they needed to increase their insurance, how either would manage.

As Ed said, "the thing about death is that it isn't an 'if,' its a 'when'." He said that because of poor planning on the part of his brother, Linda probably spent more than she should have on his funeral. She was influenced by her mother and mother-in-law who kept adding to what they thought she should include. He is convinced that she spent money that Bill would have preferred that she spend on her living and not his death.

When my Mom died, I remember that her priest was so totally impressed that she had planned everything, including picking out songs and readings and paying for her funeral. He was so impressed that he mentioned it at her funeral. "What a gift," he said, "that this woman so loved her children that she removed that burden from their shoulders during this time of sorrow."

I have to say that, following my Mom's example, Dave and I have very specific plans in place. We have our funeral plots and headstones. We want to be cremated. We know what kind of funerals each of us wants and who to contact. Our insurance policies are up-to-date and would cover the cost of our mortgage plus whatever else we need to continue living the way we have been.

So, anyone who may read this, have you made plans for your "when"? Please do so. Provide your family with the gift that the decisions they have to make are not decisions but just following up on your wishes.

And, please keep Bill and Linda and their family in your prayers.