It seems very few people want to discuss...
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23675)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
February 5, 2016 2:31am CST
death and dying so instead of doing 2 more parts as I planned I'll finish it up here.
I'm all set to die--doesn't that sound awful? No, I'm not planning or contemplating it happening right away or at least for a few, maybe many, years.
I've discussed everything with friends, let them know my wishes, got as much legal paperwork as is possible, gave people most of the things I want them to have or told them, and put it in writing, what I want them to have. I do not give death or my dying a thought anymore (well, except for this discussions) though occasionally it comes to mind when someone younger than me dies.
Are you ready to die or will you leave everything to those you left behind and burden them to deal with it all the legal things plus their grief?
If you have a partner have you discussed the options either you and he/she (whichever survives) have?
Do you have kids? Have you prepared them? Especially teens and older?
Do you have all the legal papers that will be needed upon your death or let the heirs have all the headaches?
Do you have 'things' around just collecting dust because 'someday' you might want to use, or look at, them again?
Do you have things that people could use now but won't get until you die?
Are you going to leave things without designating specifically who should get them so there can be fighting among them?
Whether you are 30 or 80 you are going to die (sorry, but you will) without knowing when so why not get YOUR house in order now? If you are alive 5 years from now look everything over again and every 5 years after that.
Once you get all that in order LIVE EVERY DAY AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST! (As I have for the past 40 years.)
And now on to discuss...
I'm all set to die--doesn't that sound awful? No, I'm not planning or contemplating it happening right away or at least for a few, maybe many, years.
I've discussed everything with friends, let them know my wishes, got as much legal paperwork as is possible, gave people most of the things I want them to have or told them, and put it in writing, what I want them to have. I do not give death or my dying a thought anymore (well, except for this discussions) though occasionally it comes to mind when someone younger than me dies.
Are you ready to die or will you leave everything to those you left behind and burden them to deal with it all the legal things plus their grief?
If you have a partner have you discussed the options either you and he/she (whichever survives) have?
Do you have kids? Have you prepared them? Especially teens and older?
Do you have all the legal papers that will be needed upon your death or let the heirs have all the headaches?
Do you have 'things' around just collecting dust because 'someday' you might want to use, or look at, them again?
Do you have things that people could use now but won't get until you die?
Are you going to leave things without designating specifically who should get them so there can be fighting among them?
Whether you are 30 or 80 you are going to die (sorry, but you will) without knowing when so why not get YOUR house in order now? If you are alive 5 years from now look everything over again and every 5 years after that.
Once you get all that in order LIVE EVERY DAY AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST! (As I have for the past 40 years.)
And now on to discuss...27 people like this
15 responses
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
"all my treasures" and you don't care what happens to them tomorrow? :O)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326582)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Feb 16
@GreatMartin For starters, I have a collection of Beswick (like Royal Doulton) horses but I can't think of anyone who'd want them really. And their value has dropped lately I think - and now our postage has gone up to high heaven so it's difficult to sell them - and it's all doom and gloom - and what if I do die tomorrow? 
2 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6408)
•
8 Feb 16
@JudyEv i understand! those collections do become precious. i have a few things i truly do treasure.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159754)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Feb 16
My family knows what my wishes are when the time comes. I have given anything of value to whom I wanted to have it. I speak about it once in awhile to be sure all is known.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (159754)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Feb 16
@GreatMartin ....When it is done it done. Good to have it finished now than after it is too late.
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
All I have are the NEED things and if anybody wants them they are free to come in and get them--I don't want my friends/heirs to have anything to do with material things.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
5 Feb 16
Excellent questions and it will help us be prepared for whenever we die.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
So are you? Or are you just thinking "I have to do that"? :O)
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
6 Feb 16
@GreatMartin I know that I will die. I hope that it is a long time from now. I do have the hope of living forever but it is not going to happen in this world. However we see other people die suddenly and unexpectedly, so that same could happen to us. So, I should have things ready in case I go. I have taken some measures and am in the process of doing what I have not done. Live long and prosper! 
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
8 Feb 16
@1hopefulman Sorry I am NOT going--and that's that!! This is MY theme song
Shirley MacLaine giving a hell of a performance.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
To me it is just as important to discuss what the surviving partner can and/or should do!!
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
5 Feb 16
Since my mother passed away in November, we are making this a priority.
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
That's a smart move. All people should do that when things are calm.
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
6 Feb 16
It is good to get rid of the clutter we may have collected during many years. It is also important to have the papers in order, I have very few relatives and try to give away some special things to those who might like to have them. But I also try to sell unnecessary things - and give something to charity.
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
6 Feb 16
@GreatMartin - I have no written will.. That would be something I should do of course.. Whether I like my relatives or not, I don't like to cause them problems, but I think they already know what I want.
If I live when Isaiah chapter 11 and Psalm 37 will be fulfilled, I might, if it is God's will, continue living and live forever.. 
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
And do you have a living Will?? And do people or a person know whether you prefer to be cremated or buried or??? Is it in writing? All this does is make it easier for those we leave behind OR if you don't like them don't put anything in writing and let them go crazy with everything to be done! :O)
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
And you check it every 3-5 years? And they know to tell us?? :O)
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Feb 16
I have less to prepare since we do not have estate tax here.
The intestate law is very clear about who will get my money if I do not leave a will.
Anyway, I have made nominations on my insurance policies.
It is good to stay prepared for the eventual departure.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
5 Feb 16
My wife and I have two sons, both grown but as yet unmarried. We each have a will, medical power of attorney, and a living will with instructions of what to do in case the worst case occurs. We've also been cleaning house, mostly in preparation for retirement within the next decade rather than preparing for our deaths. Our estate will be small, as we plan to spend it rather than leave it behind and our sons know this.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
6 Feb 16
I plan to get a legal will so that my stuff goes to deserving parties. Unfortunately, there are some individuals in my life who motivate me to do so.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
If you don't NEED that 'stuff' why not give it to them now??? "I plan"--we all plan to do it but we dont'! WHEN are you going to do it? :O)
1 person likes this
@Angel_15 (670)
• Manila, Philippines
6 Feb 16
I totally agree that we should live every day like it's our last. I often say something like that to people, but they react negatively and think that I'm just a pessimist. But that thought just makes me cherish life more. So I want to make the people I love feel that I love them every day because we don't know how long we'll be here. I don't want to regret not paying attention to people I love. I'm also trying to prepare for my husband and daughter's future just in case something happens, but sadly because of so many constraints I'm not able to do it as quickly as I can. I hope I can fix things soon.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Feb 16
And has your husband and/or daughter talked to you about your future IF something happens to them??? Have you and your husband or daughter talked about what they should do if you die? What are all your options?
Sit down, discuss it, write about it--and then forget it for the near 3-5 years!!
1 person likes this
@Angel_15 (670)
• Manila, Philippines
6 Feb 16
@GreatMartin My husband and I don't discuss it. He is insured and we need to discuss what should be done if he passes away. My daughter is still too young to know anything about this, so me and my husband have to do the preparations for her and maybe tell other relatives about our plan so that if something happens our daughter will not be left to fend for herself.
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
5 Feb 16
I can't die yet. I still have to graduate then work to get my brother and sister to finish school. And there are also my friends, who still need me. Still though, good advice you got there. Perhaps I should pick up my instrument and teach other people how to play it? Then I'll look back five years from now and see a famous rock star who was once an apprentice of mine.
Yeah, that'll do.
@maezee (41997)
• United States
5 Feb 16
Ha, I can see some people's reluctance to discuss these, even though your reasoning is pretty rational. I don't have much to give, but I have a life insurance policy that is already divied up. The rest, I am going to let my family fight over. I only have a car, some clothes, and a little bit of money in my account. Don't own a house or anything, so I don't really feel like I need to make a will at this point.
