My 94-year-old parents had things to tell me this week.

[Siwsan]

6. I'm putting together my 'last wishes' instructions

And, there are pretty much identical to what you've received, except for the cremation part. I've already got a DPOA and my healthcare directive/DNR in place. I don't want any money being wasted on my passing, beyond the cost to cremate me and finding a temporary container for my ashes. I've requested they be smuggled into Wales and scattered at several of my favorite places. My wishes have nothing to do with religion. I'm more of a 'spiritual' person and want my spirit to dwell in the land of my ancestors.

I have some (IMHO) unfortunate longevity genes from both sides of the family, and there is also a history of Alzheimer's on my mom's side of the family. Hopefully something else will take me out before any risk of that sets in. Meanwhile, I'm healthy (a good 20 years younger than mom, when her first symptoms became apparent), and live a relatively risk-free life style. But one never knows what nasty surprises lurk around the next corner.

We had everything in place before my mom died, which was fortunate since that happened very shortly after my sister's death. She had let us know, years ago, exactly what she wanted so we followed her wishes.

Know that my thoughts are with you, on what you will be experiencing.