When I was younger, I never thought about what would happen if I were to die.  Back then, except possibly when my submarine was at test depth and the steel girders around me kept grinding as if they were going to break, did I worry that others would be affected should I die.  Now, going on 72 years old, I probably worry about it more than I should.  Not for me, but for my wife (should she live beyond me), and especially my kids.  With all the shootings and random acts of violence going on, one never knows.  

So I spent the last couple of days updating a three ring binder I created in case the unexpected happens.  The binder has been labeled “For when we die . . .”  It has nearly 30 tabs containing different specific information about everything my wife would need to know in the event I day, and expanded information for my kids in the event that my wife and I both have died.  It contains financial information as well as estate planning documents.  I don’t want them to have to try to figure this stuff out on their own when I know exactly what and where it is right now.  The binder includes bank and investment instructions, a real estate appraisal and survey map of our property, our last will and testament, our living wills, powers of attorney, medical advance directives (with the documents properly notarized as required), informational checklists on what to do after someone dies, drawings and paperwork showing the pre-assigned burial locations and arrangements, funeral home instructions (that includes religious desires and military honors we would like to have happen), copies of insurance policies, car titles, and inventory lists showing the approximate value of items we own (so the kids don’t get ripped off when they go to sell the stuff my wife and I collected over the years . . . like a 1957 Fender Duo-sonic guitar that today is easily worth over $3,000.00). I’m not a doomsday fanatic (although I have a stockpile of MREs and large containers of water in the basement!), and I exercise and eat well so that I can stay with my family as long as I can, but I am a realist and I know that every day I wake up is another gift from God; and I truly treasure every chance I now get when I can spend time with my family and friends.