Roundup: “The Alternative to Growing Old”

Tuesday Sept 24, 2024
From the less messy desk of Amanda Eichstaedt…

The Alternative to Growing Old

KWMR does not have a new serum that will keep you young, nor will reading this make you wrinkle-free or darken your hair.

I am not afraid of beating a dead horse (sorry, horrible pun), but this will be my last column about the Wills for West Marin project. It has been a privilege to work among other nonprofit leaders in West Marin. It is great when we do projects like this and get to know one another. I anticipate more great things will come out of these collaborations.

These workshops are not really meant for the 32% of you who have a will, but we would love it if you would come. If you don’t have a will, we want to talk to you – whether you are young, old, or anywhere in between. I do know that you have to be at least 18 years old in order to have one.

I have heard that growing old is not for sissies and that the alternative is not something that you want. Both are true statements from what I can tell. It has been interesting working on the Wills for West Marinproject with Kim Klein and the other nonprofits that have stepped up to help out with this campaign. What is astonishing to me is that 68% of American’s don’t have a will. There is also an aversion to talking about death, especially in America. 

In fact, even starting to write this column brought up some emotions about my own mortality and my fears around death, most likely connected to not being in control. You can minimize your chances of dying by avoiding doing something stupid or careless, but you cannot avoid death itself, nor do you know when it is going to happen. The fear is valid. My husband and I do have a trust, so we are in the 32% of people who do “have a will.” 

Death is likely the most egalitarian thing going on these days. As we strive to address the concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice in the world, death has us beaten hands down, and it has no biases.

The public workshops are in process and the first one was last week at St. Columba’s in Inverness. There were around 12 people there, some of the organizers, Kim Klein, and others who registered HERE or just showed up. Either is fine. There was one in Stinson Beach today, and others are coming up. The schedule can be viewed HERE.

The workshop was fun. It was nice to hear people’s questions and experiences around making, or not making, a will. The focus of this campaign is to encourage folks to have a will. You won’t make a will at the workshop. None of us doing this project are attorneys or are qualified to give legal advice. One of the things that is discussed is the concept of an ethical will. One where you focus not just on your valuables, but on your values. 

Some very cool things exist in West Marin because people thought it was important to leave a legacy –  Stockstill House, The Inverness Library and Jack Mason Museum, some of the CLAM housing as well. And if you are a young person (enjoy it!) and consider getting a will in place. This NOLO Website has some great information (and this is included in the handouts at the workshops). You can change your will at any time. 

These workshops have given me some pause, and some focus, on how I would like to be remembered. We are discussing revisiting the trust based on all of the things I have learned during this project. 

Amanda Eichstaedt
Station Manager and Executive Director 

No AI was used in writing this column.