August was Make-A-Will Month, and at CDEL, we were reminded of just how important it is for everyone to have a plan for the future. More than 20 CDEL clients completed Wills in August, taking an important step to make sure their wishes are known and their loved ones are protected.
For me, the importance of having a Will became very personal over a decade ago.
When my mother went into the hospital for what we did not know at the time would be her final stay before she passed away, finding her Will was such a relief. In a moment filled with uncertainty and emotion, knowing that she had taken the time to put her wishes in writing gave our family a sense of comfort and clarity.
Like many families, we had talked about these issues only briefly. We assumed, as families often do, that there would be more time to have the conversation, make decisions, and put everything in order. Thankfully, my mother had done just that on her own. She had been thoughtful about her plans and, importantly, had kept her documents up to date.
It has now been more than eleven years since my mother passed away, but I still treasure the care she took to make sure her wishes were documented. Her Will was more than a legal document. It was a final act of consideration for the people she loved.
That is why the work CDEL does to help older adults and people with disabilities create Wills and other essential planning documents is so meaningful to me. Having a plan can provide peace of mind—not only for the person making the Will, but also for the family and loved ones who may one day need to rely on it.
And while August may have been Make-A-Will Month, there is no need to wait for August to make a Will. If you have been putting it off, now is a good time to start the conversation and take that important step.
You can also help someone else take that step. A donation of $200 supports CDEL staff in helping a low-income older adult or person with a disability create a Will.
A Will can be one of the most meaningful gifts we give our loved ones—and one of the most important acts of planning we can do for ourselves.
Michael Stone, CDEL Executive Director
