I, Elizabeth, being of an almost sound mind...

November 10, 2005 | Category: Family, It's a Trip

It is a humbling thing.

Since we've never done this before, I mean both of us left Bear for any real length of time, we've had to prepare.

Our Wills have been updated. A Special Power of Attorney issued for Dee so she can do things like sign Bear out of school and authorize non-emergency treatment. A compiling of important documents into sharp new Ikea boxes....

We aren't worth much, you know. But we sure do have a lot of paper. Savings Bonds, College Funds, a litte bit in investments, school loans (still!), my work benefits (life and health insurance) and his work benefits, the number of our bookkeeper (keeper of the True State of Things), Living Will, copies of our passports, mortgage, car title, my whole life policy....

CD curled up behind me on the bed this morning as I heaved great sighs. It's been a little raw to see us reflected in official seals and balances and notarized decisions. It's terrifying to think of Dee needing them.

Our family situations and citizenships being what they are, it is a Gilded Hedge Maze if anything happens to us. And having to plan those out, having to push my mind down the paths of of the "what if's...." have made my stomach heave.

"I'm scared," I told CD as he held me. "I don't want to leave him...."

CD nodded.

"Next time, we take him with, OK?"

CD agreed.

We drifted off into our thoughts, in the shadowed early morning.

"But you're done now with all that stuff?" he asked.

I hadn't the heart to tell him that the mountain in my new office wasn't done. Dee still needed the really important instructions compiled....

Our itinerary,
What to pack in Bear's school lunches,
How to work the TiVo and the satellite,
The bedtime rituals,
And where we keep the liquor.

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