As I write this, we are all still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene while waiting with dreaded anticipation to learn about the aftermath of her evil twin Milton. Nature’s wrath is a force to be reckoned with, a reminder of our place in the world. These terrible events remind us of our inability to predict or control the future, of the need to plan for the possibility of incapacity, injury or loss, the fragility of life, and the inevitability of death.
For those of us who are experiencing grief and loss from these monster hurricanes, it’s difficult to find the silver lining in the dark clouds. Yet, there they are in the faces of thousands of volunteers, the tremendous generosity of strangers giving to neighbors they have never met, and the courage and sweat of the linemen and first responders. Our place in the world is with each other, to be there for each other, to take care of each other and to love one another.
This Thanksgiving, I will express my gratitude for the dull and boring days. The days I am not worrying about loved ones in the eye of a storm, the days I am not grieving, the days I am not stressing about someone or something, the days I am at peace. These terrible storms make me so grateful for the calm, uneventful, and boring days. These are the days given to us to take time to reflect and to plan for our futures, wherever we may be on our life’s journey.
We joyfully plan for the birth of a new child, for vacations, graduations, weddings and holiday parties. It’s easy to plan for the pleasant, it’s harder to plan for the things that are not much fun to think about. For some it is downright unsettling. Nonetheless, it is important to plan for the possibility of incapacity and the certainty of death so we are not leaving these difficult decisions to our loved ones. Let an experienced estate planning attorney help you navigate through these sensitive matters.
Louise Paglen, Estate & Elder Law Attorney
The McIntosh Law Firm, P.C.
https://www.mcintoshlawfirm.com/attorneys/louise-m-paglen/
704-892-1699