My life has ended but I left two wills. The first Last Will And Testament goes to my wife, Vernelle. She receives everything I own; all my worldly possessions. The second will is public and pertains to my wishes and gifts for special people I know, love, admire, or remember.
What is a Last Will And Testament?
A will or testament is a legal document that expresses a person’s (testator) wishes as to how their property (estate) is to be distributed after their death and as to which person (executor) is to manage the property until its final distribution.
This particular Last Will And Testament is different than most. It’s personal; thoughts from my heart. Not exactly legal or enforceable. But honest and, hopefully, interesting.
To My Wife – I leave you my undying love and the hope that we will be together again. You are and have been my joy and a growing inspiration. You are how I learned true love. You are my friend. We shall be together again.
To My Children – I leave you the hope that comes with humility and Truth. One cannot truly understand or appreciate Jehovah without first being humble. Start with the 4H Club.
To Fox – I leave you with the hope that one day you will teach me to play soccer and I will teach you to throw a knuckleball. And we both will know and love Jehovah. I love you, young man.
To Jace – I leave you with my ability to give everlasting hugs of comfort. You already have special verbal and reading comprehension skills. Use all of them wisely, remain faithful to Jehovah, and we shall have our special talks again.
To Val – I leave you with my constant desire to learn about life and my willingness to share what you learn with others. You are special to me. I saw you when you were born. I hope you see me again.
To Julian – I leave you with my desire to learn about Jehovah and apply his teachings in life; it is OK even if you learn differently than others (just like Papa), I shall see you in the New System, young man. Watch over Nana for me, OK?.
To Aelwen – I leave you with all my faces. Now you have more faces than anyone. Use the best ones to show love bring kindness to others. Oh, and I want to see you dance in the New System.
To Koen – I leave you with my ability to not laugh or giggle when you get tickled. And with the hope we will meet again to play games together.
To Helix – I leave you with a promise that we shall meet again at a time when your health and my health are the same and we shall smile and play together.
To Jon and Evan – I give you the knowledge that there is more to your true family than you may realize or understand now.
To Jennifer – I want to leave you with something but you are nearly a perfect daughter already. So, I leave you with a few of my special genes. You’ll find them evenly divided in your sons.
To Darrilynn – There is little I could leave you other than my thanks for always being there to support our family. Your kindness comes from a good heart and is admired and greatly appreciated.
To Carisa – I leave you with my ability not to panic in difficult situations and with the strength you will need to love and care for a large number of grandchildren. They’re on the way. It’s math.
To Michelle M – I leave you with my heartfelt thanks and admiration. You’re a wonderful young lady with remarkable diligence and strength. You’ll need both because I see some tall teenagers on the horizon.
To Mike and Nancy – I leave you with the knowledge that you influenced my life in ways you do not know or understand. I offer you my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude. May Jehovah bless you both. We shall meet again but in better health.
To Michael and Karen – I leave you with friendship that can last far beyond expectations; through personal trials and tribulations and into the New System. You folks are a wonderful and faithful example of love and humility.
To Darrah – I leave you with two things from my life. First, my ability (from experience) not to worry about work; you have more solutions than you may know. Second, I leave you with the knowledge that I consider you to be a fine daughter; one whose love for Jehovah endures and grows despite the trials and tribulations of life.
To Loan – I leave you with the same gift of assurance I have. Assurance from Jehovah that you will see loved ones again. Remember the story of Joseph. I’ll see you again soon, my lovely daughter.
To Andrea H – I wanted to leave you with some of my sense of humor but you have it in abundance. Instead, I leave you and Frank with a special understanding of marital friendship. Couples in love can never have too much.
To Brian – I leave you and Shirley with the knowledge that children become adults and make their own decisions regardless of their parents love. Children make choices and they own the consequences. You may feel the pain but your faith will endure.
To Jessica – I leave you with the gift of encouragement to endure. You and your family have become special to us in ways you do not know. Your example of enthusiasm for the Truth inspires us all. Hug those girls for me.
Jehovah provides his people with a family of spiritual brothers and sisters, but also children and grandchildren. In that, my wife and I have been blessed far beyond any expectations. To Emme, Katie, Maya, Elizabeth, Hau’oli, Arwyn, Eva, Chloe, Kaileina, and Harper, I give you the promise of a big hello, a smile, and one of my special hugs when we meet again. Gather around for we shall have fun conversations and memories to share in the New System.
A good life may be complete with close friends and family, yes, but we can be influenced by those we meet elsewhere in life; healthcare workers, career associates, childhood friends.
To Dr. Amy – I leave you with my ability to see through the spoken word to fully understand the meaning (even if it comes in shades of color others cannot see). You are special in many ways, young lady.
To Nurse Richelle – I leave you with my ability to give someone difficult news and still look at them in their eyes. Your eyes show a special compassion and kindness. They will always see that first.
To Megan – I thank you for your generous help and heartfelt concern but all I can leave you with is the joy you will have to raise two of a kind at the very same time. They will become wonderful teenagers who will make you proud, increase your ability to love, and deplete your youth.
Jimmy Smith – I give you the official best school friend status. I have a few regrets in life and one of them is not keeping in touch with my best friend in high school. It all started 60 years ago in the 5th grade; Jimmy, you were loyal, pleasant, kind, smart, and had the best smile and laugh a friend could give. Where art thou? Now I know.
Craig D – I leave you with my desire to see the St. Louis Cardinals in yet another World Series and, at some point in the future, to dine with you on Maui.
Cynthia D – I give you a portion of my sense of humor because senior citizenship is on the way and you and Vincent will need all the laughter and smiles you can get.
Dickie L – I leave you with friendship that had many ups and downs— a friendship that dates back 55 years— through good times and difficult times. I thank you for always coming back and reaching out. That says something about who you are. Take care, my old friend.
Tisha L – I give to you the desire to create and share stories that will inspire people to deal better with the diversities and differences of life. Your are gifted with an enthusiasm that must be shared with others. Write!.
Renee W – I hope to give you a desire to communicate with friends and family at a new level, to learn more about the world around you— all best done with an iPhone and an iPad, of course.
Tim K – I leave you with an ability to view the world around you through different eyes. Spirituality, in a proper context, can be a wonderful motivator and gift to the heart.
Lisa M – I give to you my knowledge and ability to deal with those who have hidden agendas and to maintain your ability to remain kind and considerate despite career trials and tribulations.
Ned D – I grant you my understanding that all spiritual notions are not the same and do not carry the same weight. Occam’s Razor has value.
Art I – I leave you with the pleasure and memories of our many lunch conversations and with the hope that you and Inger will enjoy your last sunsets together in paradise.
Dan W – I understand why one may not believe in God. What we know of the universe is obvious. It is cold, hostile, vast, and seemingly inhospitable. Earth is different, of course, but humans have made it worse and religion has often been the cause. Yet, humanity has characteristics that cannot be explained by evolution or science; empathy, kindness, courage, self-awareness, a willingness to share, honesty, responsibility, an ability to comfort, and love. Where did those originate? Why do we sometimes not adhere to them despite religion? I leave you with the answer .
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To Joyce F (love), Darrell M (affection), Jeff and Sharon (friendship), Faron and Naomi (dining), Aleece R (camaraderie), Captain Jeff (technology), Akie (memories and loyalty), Debbie and John (bar-b-q), Karen P (endurance), John E (memories), Dorothy W (appreciation), Jena K (good will), Linda S (admiration), Alan K (fondness) and perhaps a few others, Ron did not have time to complete this Last Will And Testament.
I am so sorry.
— Vernelle