Gratitude

One characteristic of adulthood is being able to face uncomfortable facts. We tend to think children cannot, and so we spare them. But you're an adult, yes? So, here are two uncomfortable facts:

Nobody lives forever.

And, despite what the Ancient Egyptians believed, no, you can't take it with you when you're gone.

Don't wait for someone to tell you to "set your affairs in order". Be in a position where you can reply, "My affairs are already in order".

Think not of yourself, but of those you will inevitably leave behind. My late parents consistently demonstrated throughout my life that they'd never want to unnecessarily burden me, and yet burden me they did. The extant Will was more than 25 years out of date, and while I was named as the sole Beneficiary, they did not (wisely) name the then 21 year-old me as Executor. I had to apply to the Court to gain that appointment.

I was not given "the keys to the kingdom". I had to reconstruct those keys, and had to conduct what can only be described as an act of forensic accounting - and I'm no accountant. And all that was, of course, on top of dealing with the grief of their passing.

But I forgive them. Of course I do. One milestone of adulthood is the realization that your parents don't have all the answers. That they're human too, prone to err.

I didn't want to burden those I will leave behind, which is why I retained Lisa Laredo of Laredo Law to set my affairs in order long before (I hope!) it's ever needed. Let's acknowledge that none of this is easy, but Lisa makes it easier, and her vast experience is very useful in pointing out eventualities that I hadn't considered. And when I finally signed on the dotted line, it gave me a peace of mind I was not honestly expecting. I've set it, and now I can forget it, and go on living my life.