Thursday, March 15, 2018

Mother left a Will


My Mom left a Will.

Her Last Will and Testament.

I remember taking her to see the attorney (while she could still walk and get about reasonably on her own) who helped her prepare the document.

The attorney was an old friend of mine whom I had not seen for years. He was a year older and in one class year beyond me, but we both graduated from Morgan County High School.

He was very proficient and helpful in the preparation process . . . he worked for a community services organization . . . just made for people like my Mom.

In just a few minutes she possessed a document that gave a sense of peace and satisfaction that would give her great comfort for the many years she still had to live!

Mom had most of her "arrangements" already taken care of . . . years before she died. My family and I spent only about 20 minutes conferring with the Funeral Director to place the final touches on her memorial and burial. She had taken care of most of it herself. This was a great blessing to us. Not just because it made things easier for us . . . but because we knew without doubt that we were executing exactly what Mom wanted in the exact way that she wanted it.

Now my Brother, Danny, and I are faced with dealing with the material possessions that she left behind. She was not wealthy, but she was still paying all of her bills, taking care of all of her obligations, paying for her care, and providing for the upkeep of her yard and her house. Of course she lost the ability to do all of the physical work involved in all of that many years ago . . . but her hard work, planning, and self-sufficiency provided for her care. We sometimes worried if she would outlive her money and resources . . . and it was close . . . but God's timing was gracious.
Mother left us her will.

That means that the State of Alabama and the US Government will get very little of what she left behind.

That also means that her family members do not have to fuss and argue over what to do with her things. All we have to do . . . is what Mom told us that she wanted us to do before she left.

Though Mom did not leave behind a fortune . . . she did leave us all something . . . and what is more important than having her earthly things . . . is knowing that she worked hard for them . . . and she specifically told us that she wanted US to have them. They are a part of her that she passed on to us. They are like treasure to us.

At the funeral of a very rich man . . . someone asked the question, "How much did he leave behind?"

To which someone answered, "He left it ALL!"

What are YOU going to leave behind when you pass on?

You're going to leave it ALL.

But of all the things you should leave your family after you are gone . . . you should leave them A WILL!

Thank you, Mother . . . the greatest thing that you left us is a life, a heart, and a mind filled with YOU . . . until we all see you again.

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