My home is a funky cabin in the woods. The furnace is under the house reached by a very cramped crawl space. Over the years many animals, as well as my cat, have found shelter there. Decades ago I could crawl under and change the filters but no more. Now I must pay a man to drive out in a panel van and do it for me.
This past week I came home to find the panel van in the yard and the young man under the house banging away. Usually he is under and out in as few minutes as he can make it, which I in no way blame him. He was under the house so long I quite waiting for him, and went on about what little business I had to do.
He finally knocks on the front door. He is holding the piece of tubing you see above which even I knew looked scary. Before he could say anything I popped, “I could have been blown into the canopy.” In dour seriousness he corrected me, “No sir, only parts of you.”
I have never responded well to the death-bed remorse and confession popular in novels, operas, and movies. It has always seemed so careless and cheesy. If any one thinks I have done them wrong, well too bad. I am taking it with me.
The prudent adult keeps their papers and will in order and up todate. The prudent adult provides for his companion, and for his family if they are deserving. There is however something the prudent adult may have missed; and that is their community.
Why would you owe any bequest to your community? No reason, except it has surrounded and comforted you for your lifetime. It gave you a place to which you belonged. It will hold your body when you can not. If all that seems worthless to you, fine you have no need for second thoughts.
If you feel you owe your community something, your free agent is the nearest community foundation. Charles Marlin
