PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

It is important for couples to plan for their future. Whether a summer -winter marriage or a similar age marriage it is important to develop a long term plan. Some young couples feel that they have a long life ahead of them and why think about what may happen in the future.

Many fail to plan for their retirement, medical needs and children's education. Before we know it poor health, old age and death can creep up on us. Or death may come suddenly. We know it is going to come sometime so why not prepare for it and have it off our minds?

Let me relate Sharon and my experience and plan.

We began planning for our FUTURE shortly after our honeymoon. A few weeks after our wedding I began talking to Sharon about writing a will. Initially, she thought I was obsessed with death.

I explained to her that shortly after I moved back into my mobile home a neighbor told me she saw my former wife enter my home and leave with some files in her hands. It turned out that my will and some insurance policies were missing. The following Saturday I changed all the locks on my mobile home. From this experience, it became clear that it was important to have everything updated. (p-164 - 165 par2 & 3)

When Sharon saw how important this area was to me, she consented to having a new will drawn up. An attorney friend, a former associate with me in social work, met with us to draw up the will.

He made it clear to Sharon that she was free to have another attorney work on her behalf. She decided that he could draw up both of our wills. After reviewing my part of the will, he began discussing with Sharon which persons she wanted to include in hers. She said she would like to name me first, and then my sons as her beneficiaries.

When I told her she didn't need to name my sons in her will, she looked hurt and responded, "Don't you know I love them as much as you do?"

That is the only time I have seen a tear trickle down an attorney's face.

What a gracious lady I had married!

Over the years Sharon and I, through the guidance of an Elder Lawyer, have broadened our long range plan and now have a Living Trust. Initially, we had our trust drawn up by an attorney, who we learned later did not specialize in Elder Law. I was so uncomfortable with the trust that I had a Phoenix based Elder Law firm, Morris, Hall and Kinghorn, review it for us. They found that many important areas had not been addressed in the trust. They revised it for us. To be certain it is kept current, we have it reviewed and updated by them every three years.

Even though you may be a young couple, if you are planning to set up a Living Trust I strongly recommend that you seek out an Elder Lawyer. He can guide you in how best to plan for not only your, but your children's future needs.

Our long range plan now includes a Trust, a Long Term Care policy, cremation and interment plan. I have also outlined my memorial service, written a farewell letter to family and friends, etc..

When our health worsened we entered the Good Samaritan Society senior independent living apartments which assures us a continuum of care and services. (pg 167 par 3&4)

With this, as in much of our planning, various factors were involved. For several years I have been a member of the Prescott Valley Samaritan Center Advisory Board. I fully support their philosophy of ministry. It is summed up in their motto,

"In Christ's Love, everyone is someone."

I have seen this in operation throughout the organization. It is the kind of setting in which Sharon and I would be comfortable.

Another important consideration is that once we resided in one of their facilities, we would be in their continuum of care. If we came to the point of requiring additional services, we could hire outside help or move within the system to a higher level of care.

In a summer-autumn marriage, this is a very important consideration. With our age difference and a history of Alzheimer's disease in Sharon's family, this would assure that a system of care is in place for her.

Our trust names a loving, caring niece to handle our affairs when that becomes necessary. even though she lives across the country, she will be able to coordinate with the facility to assure that care needs are met as
they arise.

I want to share with you now a poem I wrote to Sharon in celebration of our twenty fifth wedding anniversary. How blest we have been. (Pgs 161 & 162)

Our Silver Bells Ring

Our silver bells are ringing clear,
They tell of all that we hold dear.
Twenty-five years of precious love,
Bountiful blessings from above!

Our happiness the day we wed,
Throughout our marriage has been spread.
The frosting on our cake was sweet,
But with our Love it can't compete.

Twenty-five years, our love has grown,
How glad we are the seed was sown.
So many joys that we have reaped.
Blessings on blessings have been heaped.

Many joys and stresses we've known,
And through it all our love has shone.
Aging come - illness follows fast,
But through it all our love will last.

Thank you Lord for our Precious Love,
Your bounty to us from above.
Our years of marriage you have blest,
Helped love to grow through every test.

The silver bells joyously ring,
Our message clear to all they bring.
We say to all the good news spread,

We're thankful for the day we wed.

HUGS, IN CHRIST'S AND OUR LOVE
ON OUR TWENTY-FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Don E. Cunningham, Author

While it is stressful to pull together a long range plan the peace it brings, knowing that you and your family have prepared for your future, is well worth the effort. To help you with your planning I prepared "My Life End Planning Booklet" which which may be downloaded free from this website.

If you have further questions please leave a comment or contact me. I will be glad to assist you.

I pray that your lives may be as blessed as Sharon and mine.

Join me next week for the final posting on Remarriage. We will be looking at the final "F" word: Remarriage is FOREVER. It will include comments from Sharon and another poem.

There will be two more postings on Divorce. Following this online workshop I will be presenting some articles on "HUGS"

Hugs, In Christ's and My Love,

Don E. Cunningham, Author © July 2, 2007 1172