Selfishness For the Love of Others

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Is there anything wrong with being selfish? Most people would answer yes to that question. However, what if your selfishness is only to allow you to benefit others. For the most part we are raised not to be selfish and to share with friends and family members. Most parents have given a great sacrifice to rear their children usually lasting 18 plus years. That isn't being selfish. And it isn't selfish being Grandparents either. But there comes a time when one has to think outside the box. Looking into the future when questions arise. The what if scenario. More and more you ask yourself what if this, or what if that happens. It comes out of the blue. Something triggers your mind to start considering the older generation and the younger ones to. Normally something dramatic happens to start this process like a parent dying. But it can be as innocent as a parent falling or just being ill.

My parents always said, that they were not going to be around forever. In my mind they were. So I pretty much ignored the request from mom, that I had better learn how to make biscuits from scratch. Now I wish I had. My grandmother always said that there comes a time when the parent becomes the child, and the child becomes the parent. This is so true in the later years of life. The parental submission for the child to care for the parent comes with major problems. Normally it becomes a battle. Parents not wanting to lose their ability to make decisions and their independence. After telling the child what to do for sixty or seventy plus years, the role reversal is freighting for both parties involved. Definitely enough to keep you awake at nights. Everyday seems to be just like the day before. The battle continues over how functional the parent is,...

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...out. Here again you are being selfish for the love of others. If there is property involved, it is a good idea, to deed it to whom it will be left to, and just continue to pay the taxes on it. This will eliminate the state from taking it for your up keep, or estate taxes needed to be paid by the inheritor. It is also a good idea to have one trusted family member on whatever type of money account you have. Having the joint account will keep the funds from being tied up in probate court after you have gone. Share the wealth, you won't need it. Probably the last thing on your selfish bucket list should be to ask you relatives to celebrate your life. Don't just grieve for their loss, but party for you new beginning. Let the beer flow, crank up the volume of the golden oldies , and dance, dance, dance. I will be there watching over the fun, for you see I am selfish.

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