Lawyers and Clowns
09/01/2004 05:06 p.m.
There’s something about drawing up or refreshing your Last Will and Testament (not due to any impending doom but just out of responsibility) that welcomes the relief of humour, and fortunately for our family, our newly-chosen barrister who’s assuming the job of taking care of that with us, is very witty. He could have been a teacher, (we met him when he taught the pre-retirement course) but I think even more suitably, a writer or comedian. But hey, let’s face it, there’s a huge difference in the lucrative nature of the his current career compared to the latter ones, he would have been J. K. Rowlings or Bob Newhart.

He could copyright some of his imaginative and humourous terms he uses to characterize life situations for people. I think I’d be plagiarizing to put them down here though it’s very tempting, they’re so brilliant and fun.

But he talks very quickly and it’s all matter-of-fact common nature to him, so he learned early in his hour with us yesterday that I like it slower and more deliberately lain out - hey I know it’s not sex we’re talking about, but we do all have our paces and styles. I’m the ask-questions, clarify first, then draw it up, type, who’ll look you straight in the eye when you deliver the goods.
The notetaker, (which actually helps, even if irritates)because doctors and lawyers seem to realize I mean business and have done and will continue to do my homework, so don’t rush away with glib pat comments and answers and leave me hanging, cause I’ll call you up on it right away and also I’ll quote what you told me earlier, even if it was ten months ago.

I don’t do it as a weapon or ploy, but because I need to, but it does slow them in their tracks and make them respect my intensity.

When we took the retirement course in December I learned early that this professional who’s been giving these talks about Last Wills and Testaments for years to office workers, in our government town, was quick-witted and quick-talking. What was refreshing about him was that the dreaded and potentially depressing and oppressive topic goes down smoothly and entertainingly with him at the helm. Both times I had to see him I hadn’t looked forward to it really, and though was somewhat feeling the stress of the seriousness of what we were doing, (you know, Personal Care and Living Will details, Inheritance in the event of our deaths, decisions of care should one of us be incapacitated etc.) I ended up feeling much better and interested, with a lighter take on it, which I needed.

Humor is a glorious tool that way. For personal relationships, therapy, etc. and I’m blessed with most of my specialists being gifted with Humor. Even though I sense competition, maybe even dislike or lack of connection sometimes with someone, when we dig down to the Humor or compassion (that’s another biggie he showed well)then they’ve got me on their side and won more of my trust.

And as in death issues, there is plenty of Humor in these situations if one breathes a bit and sees it. It gets you through.

Now there’s relief, knowing our updates are fresh and the long-needed re-vamping clarifies and re-assigns responsibilities properly and details are covered so that our modest affairs are safe from big brother and the government taking assets that are intended for family. You’d be surprised at the omissions and errors people don’t have covered sometimes, and wouldn’t know about if they just do their own will and don’t check with the pro’s.

Now, the assignment of what to do with my literary inheritance...my dream papers...is another story, not yet solved.

We have lots on our minds these days in the family, the good and bad tests of life very imminently upon us, and we’re working hard to keep on our toes with everything.

On Sunday our new minister begins at our church and that will be an important and happy day, I’m sure. Fittingly, there is a christening that day too so he has a busy first morning.

Well, the medical appointments of September and October are beginning today, (just routine and catch-up ones on many areas of the body, boy a body keeps you busy). Today it’s my skin doctor.
Later in the month, Eyes. In between, the hand surgery for my Dupotroyen’s Contracture in my right (writing hand) which will probably keep me off the keyboard a few days (starting Sept 22).

By October I have my full physical again.

Classes and poetry readings get busier in the fall too, as do contests, so I’m taking my vitamins religiously as I usually try to do.

Amidst this and fixing up poems, the house, working on the novel and studying about novels,
there’s the return to university for our daughter, and the pre-retirement planning of my husband.

I’m so glad I got in the writers’ retreat recently (as in my recent poem A Clown’s Kiss) and let my hair down a bit there. A wonderful, rejuvenating and inspiring, fun weekend in the country with fine people and writers. Though the poem sounds rather ominous, or upsetting, in actual fact that clown did put more smiles on my face and brought out more laughter from me, especially right before my Joan of Arc Monologue Sat evening, than people have seen in me for a long time. A very kindred, spiritual, soft-hearted warm person, and very extroverted and brilliant. Even without the pink lips.

When moments are oppressive or depressing now, I think of some of the moments there at the retreat and the smiles he brought out, just as a very congenial person with everyone, as well as being a modest but fantastic writer, and I feel more carefree. Lots of my new friends and older ones there helped with that. Not even aware they were helping me, I imagine.
Nature and the scenery did the rest, and it’s not difficult for that to happen in that lovely area near Tweed, Ontario. Well, off to my appointment now...groan...but at least this doctor’s humorous, and a storyteller...he’s published some biographies and other books of his own.
I am currently Bemused
I am listening to Majic l00