Something to think about

           One of the best things us infallible guys who somehow are internally wired to think that we are going to live forever can do is to realize that we aren't calling the shots about that.  I mean, really, do you really know how long you're going to live?  No, this isn't a post about getting right with God, turning your life around, or really anything about being a better man, husband, and father.  Rather, it's about doing one right thing for when that time comes, that time when you breathe your last breath.

           Whether your death is sudden or expected, one of the best things that any guy can do it take some time well before his time comes to prepare a packet of information that will be helpful to those he leaves behind.  Your family will most likely be devastated by your death, and particularly so if it is unexpected.  Why add more trauma and drama to an already traumatized family by not doing certain things that can help them through that awful time?

           Understandably, most guys (or at least a good percentage of them) will have made sure that the family will be taken care of financially.  But how many guys, regardless of age and position in life, have dealt with the more mundane, yet important, things that have to do with ones passing? Those would be such things as:

• delegation of authority and responsibility for the handling of your care should you become mentally incapacitated prior to your death.
• do you have a living will or have you thought about one?
• have you given, or thought of giving, powers of attorney over financial matters
• instructions and information about all of the details regarding the disposition of your body should you die
• for example, if you wish to donate your body to science, have you done the research (it's really quite easy) and delegated an agent to handle the matter
• have you talked with a funeral home about pre-arrangements

           There is nothing wrong about writing your own obituary and tucking it away some place safe so it can be used when the time comes.  Tick off another burden the family has to worry about.  There is nothing wrong with leaving some suggestions or instructions tucked away regarding they type of service you think would be appropriate.  It's smart to leave a list of key people to contact when that time comes.  Consider this--your family would like to be in the information loop just as much as you would.  Anything you can do now to ease their burden later is really a Godly thing to do.

Something to think about.  Use your imagination.