In Death

Dad's trust has been executed. Final filings are in the mail. In death, we 5 kids know once again his love.

Our mother died in 1998 from lung cancer. [Don't smoke. It is a terrible way to die.] At her passing, her assets transferred to Dad as surviving spouse.

Soon after all those transfers were completed, Dad met with an attorney, one of my sisters, and my brother. Dad set up a Revocable Living Trust and placed all his assets into the trust.

Dad assigned those offspring as co-trustees and signed forms that named my two other sisters as health advocates. He granted power of attorney to The Blond, the sister with an accounting degree and one of the trustees.

Let's see. That leave me, the oldest, to observe from a distance. At the time, I was the only out-of-town kid. Plus, Dad knew I'd be asking questions and demand clarification from the young ones when they acted on their new powers.

He was wise and he loved us. He knew I would watch from afar and we would have long conversations when I went to visit. Before he sold his home, I would stay with him and we would review things. Last spring, I reviewed his bank accounts and determined he was balancing both correctly. The Blond did his tax returns and I reviewed them. Full disclosure.

Dad passed suddenly in October. Because assets were entrusted, his estate was small. The Blond has worked hours getting things liquidated and checks cut to us 5. This week we finalized the trust filings and soon she will cut final checks.

Thanks, Dad.

'til later