Preparing For Life’s Unexpected Moments
I wrote an article recently, entitled Tomorrow Is Not Promised. The main idea was that, because tomorrow is not promised, it’s important that we get right with those closest to us. “Make sure you have no regrets,” I wrote. “Nothing left unsaid.”
I received an email last week from one of our subscribers (and a good friend of mine) who had read the article. Here’s what she wrote:
“This (article) hit home as I prepare to head to Connecticut for my dear cousin’s celebration of life after she died by suicide earlier this week. I am making it a real priority to be more personal in my interactions with friends and family. A phone call to say hello, or a card sent in the mail is much more meaningful than an email or Facebook post (but still great options for those I am not as close with). Maybe next week you can follow up on this post with the info on your book about preparing for ‘life’s unexpected moments’!”
Death, or the passing of loved ones, is not something most people want to think about. So, they don’t. They don’t think about it, and they don’t prepare for that possibility – either by getting right with those closest to us, or by preparing for that possibility in other, practical ways.
I wrote Peace of Mind for You and Your Loved Ones (my “book about preparing for life’s unexpected moments”) after experiencing six deaths of relatives and friends over a period of about 15 months. While a couple of those deaths were not unexpected (due to chronic illness, old age, etc.), the others came as a complete shock.
What I learned in researching the book was that many people have not even thought about the possibility of death, let alone planned for it. Others have done some estate planning, including the creation of a will and/or living trust. But very few people have their most important financial and contact information assembled for loved ones to use in the event of their death.
I experienced firsthand what it was like to have to scramble in order to determine which bills were owed and other vital information, as well as trying to figure out passwords to accounts. Not having that basic household information – especially at a time when people are grieving the loss of loved ones and not in the best mental condition to work through those issues – created considerable unneeded and preventable stress.
I felt as though it was my calling to provide a solution to this dilemma.
Estate planning is something that most people avoid talking about, because they’re uncomfortable talking about their own mortality. Everyone needs an estate plan, though, and Peace of Mind for You and Your Loved Ones is an important part of your estate planning process. By completing the information contained in this book, you will alleviate some of the stress that results from the death of a loved one. You can have peace of mind, knowing you’ve made that process easier for your loved ones.
Completing the book, or at least gathering similar information and making sure your loved ones know where it is kept, is really an expression of love for those closest to you. When this information is needed, your loved ones will be extremely grateful for your thoughtfulness.
I hope those closest to you live long, healthy lives, and that you’re not burdened with the shocking, premature loss of a loved one. Either do it yourself by gathering this important information, or order Peace of Mind for You and Your Loved Ones, and get additional copies for your parents, friends and other loved ones.
A truly necessary tool for helping your family after you have gone.
I’ve taken care of executing too many estates in my family and I wish we had Brian’s Peace of Mind book for each of them. Peace of Mind really takes the “what do I need to do?” out of preparation. The book is literally a step by step guide that takes you from “final wishes” to where documents are to financial information, insurance and the planning aspects. Hopefully my family won’t need to USE this book for a long time, but it’s here for them when the time comes.
Kevin H.
