"If Something Should Ever Happen To Me… By: Janet L. Hall… I’m afraid my family won’t know who to call—or where anything is!"
The realization of destruction, chaos, and uncertainty hit home for many of us on Sept. 11, 2001. My inbox started filling up with inquiries and statements of, "I don't know where my important paperwork is to grab in case of an emergency," "I have no clue where I can put my hands on my important stuff. Can you help me?" "If a catastrophe should strike my work or home it would take me months to replace licenses, and birth certificates," and "My husband handles all
paperwork at home. I don't have foggiest idea who to call or where anything is."
I think you'll agree usually one person in home or office is designated to handle phone calls if a vendor or supplier has to be called, or an appointment has to be made. That same person usually knows when any annual maintenance has to be done, and that one person usually files or puts away all incoming paperwork.
But if something should happen to that person, be it illness, death, or just out of town, would you be at a loss not knowing WHO to call, WHEN things get done, or WHERE things are kept?
After my mother-in-law died, after having to virtually search in every nook and crannie in her home for things such as her husbands death certificate, his military records, and her keys (we finally found her safe deposit box key in pinkie of a glove that was in back of closet), after watching my family UNABLE to mourn or celebrate her life because we were all too busy looking for necessary documents, and important papers needed to deal with her death, I decided to put together a little booklet so others would NEVER have to go through what we did!
It's very easy to make your own little booklet of WHO, WHEN, and WHERE's in your life. Here's how:
Create a notebook for yourself with three tabs. Mark three sections: WHO, WHEN and WHERE. You could also do this on your computer.
In WHO section, make a list of service companies that you call and do business with. Include security company, cable guy, your insurance agent, credit cards, your mortgage company, pool man, plumber, chimney sweep, you name it. Next to each company, write down their phone number and your account number.
In WHEN section, create a list for each month and record dates that you had—or want to have—services performed at your home or office. Include dates for getting your animals vaccinated, having your chimney and septic tank cleaned, renewing licenses and memberships, and so on.
