Photos

Most people over age 30 have photos- the real kind- the ones you can hold in your hand that are printed on photo paper.  But what happens to them after we are no longer able to identify the subjects or share the memory?  As an only child, I have pictures from my parents’ home.  I didn’t have to divide anything with siblings.  And most of the people in those pictures are long gone.  In fact, I don’t recognize many of them.  So what will my kids do with them?  A dilemma. 

I also have photos that I took of my kids when they were little.  Today, I don't recognize their friends.  And now that my kids are adults, they are only taking digital photos.  So what do we do with all the photos- real and digital?  I’m open to suggestions.

I have a photo of my dad and his parents from 1907 or 1908.  And one of my mother’s parents from around 1932.  The dates are guesses so my next “organizing task” is to attach a sticky note to the back of the photos.  I probably should make copies so that each of my kids have one.  If I leave it up to them to make the copies after I’m gone, it probably will not get done.  They may not care but I do. 

 

The two important questions are:  1) What do you really care about?  2) How much effort are you willing to invest to be able to check off the task on your list of Meaningful Things I Need to Do Before I am No Longer Able to do Them?

This actually might be a good January/February project – at least in the cold weather climates. 

How many of you have 8 or 16 mm movies of your family?  If I don’t get them transferred soon to a DVD, it is possible that my kids will be unable to view them.  And then their kids will miss out on the fun, too.  

And if I buy an online service to store my photos, what will happen to them when I am no longer around to pay the fee? The more stuff we have, the more complicated life becomes.

Recently, I saw a commercial for a local history display at one of the museums in town.  On the screen were photos from possibly the 1950’s.  There were no captions so I don’t know who took the photos or the names of the people in the photos.  So the question becomes, how did the museum get the pictures.  Were they donated?  Is credit given to the family?  Or did someone find random pictures at a flea market and then put together a display?  Think about all the historical pictures that pop up on the internet from time to time.  Would you want your family photos to go viral in twenty years?  There are no real answers- just something to think about.

Please chime in…..what are you doing with your family photos?

Year End--New Resolutions

The holiday season is upon us with its endless sales, recipes, invitations, decorations and music.  What I don’t see or hear about is PLANNING.   How do we accomplish what is expected of us by others and of ourselves?  We always hear about people who wait until the last minute to do what they have to do.  And, yes, the situation usually turns out ok.  But what about those spontaneous events that throw us off our course?  Do you have to go to the convenience store to buy a quick present or do you shop in September to avoid the crowds?  This is not a discourse on which way is best.  You can weigh the pros and cons of each scenario. 

Planning is so necessary and the real purpose of this blog.   Families who lose out are those who have tragic accidents befall them.  Most young people don’t plan for their death.  They don’t keep their important papers in one spot because they don’t think they have important papers. 

As the year ends, I challenge you to schedule an appointment with yourself to locate your important papers, to complete either my Vital Information Form or find another template that will work for you.  There is no time like NOW.  Do it.   If you can’t locate the Form, email me.  Make this one of your resolutions and keep it.

Start 2017 with a feeling of accomplishment.  While this is a small accomplishment in the scheme of everyday living, it is a great accomplishment for family and friends who have to deal with the aftermath of death.

I have scheduled time to review my Form this week.  With so many password changes,  a scheduled update for my Form is in my future.

Planning for life and death are not mutually exclusive. 

Enjoy your holidays....