A Grim Reality

My parents left yesterday for yet another world holiday. They are off to Ireland, Germany (for a quick visit with my sister and her sons), Spain and back to Germany before coming home in the middle of December. With each trip, Mom and I are getting better at organizing the things I need to take care for their rental homes (they have 13 different tenants), as well as for taking care of their house.

I am slowly gaining more and more power with regards to their private matters. I am now listed as an alternate for all the Sasktel/Power/Energy bills so that I can deal with any issues that may arise. I have access to their online banking and can switch monies back and forth. I become the property manager for all the rentals so it comes down to me to make decisions on repairs and other tenant matters. It's getting to the point where I could just about sell a house out from underneath Mom and Dad (which I've thought would be a funny/not-so-funny April Fool's Day joke)!

But matters always take a more serious turn when Mom re-shows me where she and Dad keep their wills and all the other important documents (the other wills that they are executors for, important numbers and so on). This time, she talked about some of the changes she handwrote into their will, but never had a notary sign. We've talked about their wills and their wishes before, but with each trip, it becomes more and more of a reality that something could happen. Technically, something could happen at any time...whether they were on a holiday or not. But everytime they leave, I can't help but wonder, "Will this be the last time I see them? Will they become just a blurb on the third page of the newspaper about being yet another couple who died in a foreign country?".

It's pessimistic to think that way, but I come by it honestly. I've learned it from my mom. My sister always phones home just before she's leaving Germany to come back during the summer. If she ends up having to leave a message, my mom doesn't delete that message until Jenn is safe and sound in PA. Just in case something happens on the flight over, my mom would still be able to hear Jenn's voice. It's sad, but true...I do similar things when Mike goes away on fishing trips. Or anytime he heads out on the highway for that matter.

So, here's wishing you safe travels, Mom and Dad...I'll try to keep your granddaughter safe and warm inside me until you return, but I can't make any guarantees that she won't want to get the party started a little early :-)