“True wisdom comes only from dialogue” Socrates.  What prompts me to start with this? In the last weeks, we have been overwhelmingly confronted with people talking ( indeed yelling) at each other and no one is listening. We hear incessantly about the freedom of speech, yet are we not obliged to listen so that both parties can speak their truth?

One of our contentious human areas is the passing of a member of the family, especially if there are assets involved. I never realized that, as my mother sat me and my sister down, and meticulously spelled out what she wanted us to know, decide and accept once her journey was over. The process took a couple of days – and uneasy moments ensued, as neither my sister nor I were comfortable discussing mother’s end. When the day came the transition was like cream on a dessert. Smooth and worry-free. 

But most passings are not like that. Wills are written in secret, the holder of the power does not want to relinquish it, even though clarity is not relinquishing. But…fear again raises its ugly head. Loss of influence? Loss of ……? Whatever runs rife.

Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone, which seems relevant, especially if we let fear lead to conflict and maybe even complete breakdowns. Have you taken care of your passing?