Please join us for a conversation on Homelessness:
https://arapahoelibraries.org/community-conversations/
- Community Conversation May 15th @ 6pm, Sheridan Library
- Community Roundtable June 26th @ 6 pm, Sheridan Library
Women’s Monthly Invitation, Wednesday April 25th at 5:30pm
https://angelaengel.com/invitation/
For the past eight years, I’ve hosted a monthly women’s support group. Over the years, it’s morphed into something different than I first imagined and it’s completely wonderful. To protect the group culture, we only open it up once a year by referral. This April we’ll be welcoming new members. If you’re interested, chat with me.
I’ve also been contemplating an online co-ed group. We have three and only need three more to begin. Please let me know if you’re interested or would like more information. I also offer individual coaching, as well as group facilitation.
At our last monthly meeting, our Invitation group did something extraordinary, and I wanted to share. I’ve noticed how easier it becomes to live fully and fearlessly once you have prepared for the process of dying. Conscious living involves preparing for our most vulnerable moments and the transition beyond this physical existence.
At our last Invitation we planned and shared our vision for our memorial service. The most common theme was the desire to be cremated. Composting is a great option too. Beth wanted her service to be “unplanned,” because up until that point, everything in her life would have been thoughtfully and carefully coordinated. Christina wanted her guests to have the opportunity to create something. Creativity has been the cornerstone of her existence. Carla wanted her service to be about her daughter and wrapping her in as much love and support as possible. Patricia wanted her Memorial to be whatever her loved ones needed it to be so they could mourn and find closure. She planned to be gone from this world quickly but would linger if her service included a bonfire at their favorite camping spot. Danelle wanted her ashes scattered in Capri or the Amalfi Coast so she and her children could take another trip together. I want my service to be outdoors in a beautiful garden with live music where our favorite stories can be shared. Also, if people took home a shelter dog or a foster child, that would be extra special.
We all want there to be joy and laughter and the presence of love, at our Memorial service, and throughout our daily lives. We made it our goal to write our wills or trusts by the next meeting. When both of my parents died, it was very important for me to honor them in a final celebration. Communicating our wishes and ensuring our affairs are in legal and financial order is perhaps the most important and final gift to our loved ones.
I’ve included some resources to help with your planning process. It helps to keep these documents together in a three-ring binder:
- Wills/Trust, Medical and Financial POA’s, medical directives and or a Living Will.
- Anyone with assets more than $60,000 will have to go through probate (varies by state.
- Financials: All bank accounts
- Retirement: 401k’s, IRA’s, stocks, bonds, investments, etc.
- Insurance Policies: Health, Auto, Life, and Homeowners. Include contact information
- Legal documents: Copies Driver’s license, birth certificate, baptism certificate, social security cards, marriage license
- Burial Arrangements/Funeral Instructions
- Assets/Debts: Copies of loans, Deeds, appraisals, Transfer on Death Deeds, etc.
- Miscellaneous: phone and computer passwords, codes to safe, or a safe deposit box, location of keys or door codes
- Contact Information: family, friends, lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, and other important contacts.
Additional resources:
https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/info_center/laws/Title15/powerOfAttorney.pdf
https://www.coloradoadvancedirectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1-MOST-Form-FINAL-2015.pdf
https://www.fivewishes.org/five-wishes-sample.pdf
When you’re done, planning for your beautiful transition, shake off the dead stuff and get back to living with the Brent Lewis Drum Sex CD. That’s what we did! https://brentlewis.com/?page_id=390
With love,
Angela
