From the monthly archives:

September 2009

New Attitude on Dying

Thumbnail image for New Attitude on Dying September 30, 2009

OK I’ll admit it. The idea of dying has always scared me to death.
I’ve never wanted to do it.
After I reached my 50th birthday I figured I had just started living my second fifty years. I’ve always wanted to live as long as possible.
Losing one of my children has changed my attitude.
If I have any [...]

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The Four Month Report

Thumbnail image for The Four Month Report September 28, 2009

It has now been 4 months since the “official” date of Richard’s death.
Just thought I’d list a few observations about where we are in our grieving process.
I don’t cry as much. Not openly. I cry inside just as much. I still miss my kid.
Debbie and I go to work everyday. We’ve done this since about [...]

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Gifts at the Grave

Thumbnail image for Gifts at the Grave September 26, 2009

I visited Richard’s grave the other day and found a new addition – pictured above.
Richard had many good friends. His passing affected them as well as it did us. They miss him too.
They visit his grave. We’ve been there a few times when they’ve arrived.
Other times they’ve left clues. Like these soft drinks that were [...]

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The Richard Book

Thumbnail image for The Richard Book September 26, 2009

Debbie’s birthday was last month.
Her gift from our daughter Sarah arrived from Texas the other day. In the enclosed birthday card, Sarah instructed her mom to share the gift with me. There was a pack of Kleenex attached to the gift, warning of an emotional surprise inside.
It was a special gift indeed.
Inside was a custom-made [...]

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A Day in Court

Thumbnail image for A Day in Court September 22, 2009

Yesterday I got to go to court.
In order to get access to Richard’s bank account and his mutual fund, I have to be the administrator of his estate.
I won’t go into how strange it sounds to talk about Richard’s estate – when he owed more than he owned. The lawyers call this an insolvent estate.
I [...]

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The Big Game

Thumbnail image for The Big Game September 20, 2009

Richard was a big sports fan. His bedroom is decorated in Miami Dolphins colors. They were his favorite NFL team.
We had many sports talks. The sports minded members of my family are University of Kentucky fans. I went to school there in the 70’s . My parents had season tickets to the football games. My [...]

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Franklin on Death

Thumbnail image for Franklin on Death September 18, 2009

The founders of our nation were pretty smart folks.
Following the death of his brother John Franklin, Benjamin Franklin wrote this letter to Elizabeth Hubbard, his brothers stepdaughter, on February 22, 1756
Dear Child,
I condole with you, we have lost a most dear and valuable relation, but it is the will of God and Nature that these [...]

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Trouble at the Cemetery

Trouble at the Cemetery September 17, 2009

Got a call last week from Mark at the cemetery.
“Someone put up a rock border around your son’s headstone.”
Well, yeah. Debbie and I spent an entire Sunday afternoon putting that there. We wanted to get it looking nice for Richard’s birthday.
It was hard work. The sod in that area of the cemetery has a tough [...]

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Probate Problems

Thumbnail image for Probate Problems September 10, 2009

I was supposed to go to court on Monday to start probate on Richard’s estate.
The purpose of the proceeding is to give me legal authority to handle Richard’s financial affairs. I need this authority to close out his accounts and clear up the final details of his financial life.
My lawyer called today. Whether by a [...]

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