Planning Ahead: A Loving Gesture
He sat there holding her worn suede pump in his hand, turning it over and over. He remembered the last time she wore it. It was nothing special, just pizza and wine by the lake. Yet somehow, he just couldn't get that image of her out of his head. Beautiful, stunning and so loving.
He knew this day would come. John had spent the past year living in the hospital room where his wife, Suzanne, had received chemo treatments. Their two boys were in college and would be arriving in a couple of hours. Oh, how she would have loved to see them before... He let his thoughts fade and returned his focus to the soft suede in his hands.
One and a half years ago, over pizza and red wine, Suzanne had told him, "I'm doing fine right now. I feel great! I can eat this wonderful Italian delight!" She took a huge bite and let the cheese fall to her plate. "I can walk and swim and sit out here with you knowing the boys are safe. But..." John's stomach knotted knowing the conversation was about to take a turn. "But, the doctor says that my cancer will probably not get better."
John reached across their wrought iron table and held her hand. He looked out at the sun setting over the lake. He had to divert his attention so she wouldn't see his eyes tear up. Suzanne took his face in her hands and said, "I know what is coming, and I'm all right with that. I need you to be okay with it. That's why I want to talk about my funeral." John felt as if this topic was too much for him, but he listened patiently, knowing deep down that she was right.
"Number one, I want you and you and the boys to say something at my funeral. I want you to talk about our trips to Alaska and the Bahamas. Remember that time we all fell asleep on the beach...oh, those are the kinds of memories I want you to tell." She took her hands away from his face. "I've started collecting pictures. I want you and the boys to go through them and select the most memorable pictures and have a Video made for you, the grandmothers, and your father. I want everyone to see our family and how happy we have been." Her eyes drifted off, "And with the money that we saved for our cabin I want you to donate a maple to the city in my name. Please make sure that the marker represents cancer patients around the world. I would really like that." She continued to talk about roses and silver ribbon until the full moon replaced the colors of the setting sun.
John placed her shoe on the floor next to its mate. He thought to himself, "I will celebrate her life as she wanted. I want everyone to remember her in this way." He picked up his coat and walked out the door to pick up his sons at the airport.
A Trimble Funeral Plan is completely safe, insured and income tax-free. It is also portable so that the family retains its value even in the event of a move to another location. Equally important, every Trimble Funeral Plan is designed to legally shelter and protect funeral funds from depletion if long-term hospital or nursing home care is required in the future. It assures that the services selected will be provided at no expense to survivors.
