Forget-Me-Not

We never want to think about it, but life is terminal. We seem to get our three score and ten, plus or minus a few, and then pass on to our eternal reward. When my time comes, I hope that those left behind will know my Lasting Wishes: my hopes, my desires, and the things I deem to be important enough for them to remember and to apply to their own lives. I may even want to write my own eulogy! We never seem to get around to talking about or doing these things.
It is my wish that my relatives should know my thoughts about my memorial service and the disposal of my remains. More than that, I hope they will know and remember the things in life I feel are important: the family, education and religion. I want to remind them of the values which have given our family the strength to over-come difficult times. I want them to look after their mother, should she survive me. I want them to know why I have divided up the family fortune as I have done. Should the unthinkable happen and their mother and I die while they are still at home, I would like to leave some instructions for their legal guardians: how I wish them to be raised. That's what Lasting Wishes are all about.

The wise person probably already has a legal will, detailing how the estate will be divided up. Hopefully, they have other legal documents such as a living will or a power of attorney, already in the hands of those who might need them. But how do you write your lasting wishes? Where do you begin? What do you put in it?

How to Write Your Lasting Wishes

Your Lasting Wishes should be an expression of love for family and of the lessons you have learned over the years. It is never a vehicle for getting even. After a few opening thoughts it should talk about the values you find important to life and your reflections on how life should be lived. It should contain your hopes for the future and any specific requests you may have for those who survive you.

Sit down with a blank piece of paper and sketch an outline. If you are not certain where to go with this check out the Forget-Me Not blog and get in touch by email. We can set up a meeting for some coaching and the first hour is FREE. After that, reasonable rates apply. Actual costs will vary depending on how much you want Forget-Me-Not to do for you. Other on-line resources are available through the Association of Personal Historians.