Since we began living together, we’ve always had wills- we’ve tended to update them before overseas trips in case a plane dropped us out of the sky together! – and arrangements for Enduring Powers of Attorney, in case of serious health or mental fitness problems at some stage.
At present, we’re working on ways of ensuring that both of us are reasonably competent in managing financial affairs. We have tended to have a division of labour on this aspect of our living together (as many partnerships seem to) – Charmaine has always enjoyed working with figures (influenced by her father Laurence’s passion for numbers) whereas Tanya resisted her father Kenneth’s interest in investing ,and has been glad that Charmaine has taken the lead role in this area. So it’s now catchup time for Tanya on some procedures.
And IT skills also pose some challenges for us both – Charmaine who was an early adopter of technology says she is now becoming a late adapter! Tanya, on the other hand, has always described herself as a technophobe and only does the basics. So we have work to do here, too. And of course, managing the flood of daily emails is an ongoing challenge for us all.
We hope to find a suitable younger part-time support person to help with aspects of these affairs in due course.
This skyscape from our deck reminds us daily of money and the business world!
Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood
Public Good
As someone who turned 75 yrs this year, I am trying to do all the things you note, though I have given away Tai Chi for now, and am probably dropping bridge. Since my husband died after a drawn-out illness and accompanying frailty, We went through all the exercise, healthy eating, financial support phases, but they became increasingly hard.
I am trying to get back into writing. I did my first doctoral examination and was dying to get back into theory. However, I am finding the latter harder than I expected. I have to persevere.
What has been the very best learning has been the nurturing of others. My friends have been amazing. I have had good friends take me out on walks and meals, introduce me to kayaking, take me to the beach, and explore local history together. The history of Pukawa and the Kingitanga. The trip with St Stephen’s church and David Moxom to the Alexandra Redoubt and St John’s in Te Awamutu and St Paul’s in Rangioawhia. The church is working on pilgrimages to these significant places in atonement for past wrongs