Why did I do this?

The most common question people ask me is “Why did I take on writing about such a difficult subject?”

What am I talking about? Writing about a subject that a large portion of the adult population avoids, until one day ...

I’m talking about the catalyst that caused me to write the ‘info’ book, ‘Wrapping It Up – The Ultimate Guide.’ That catalyst occurred when my mother died suddenly but wasn’t found until several days later.

There are no words to describe the shock, the disbelief of that day. Death incites all manner of emotion of which shock is certainly one. But then before reality sets in, there’s so much more that has to be dealt with, often quickly, most of which is foreign, unknown and daunting to us.

You can’t avoid it. Reality hits hard at this time - that's life ... full of unexpected surprises.

After the initial trauma of that experience it soon became apparent I was to be THE one to deal with my mother’s possessions, where ever they were. Pack them up, distribute, sell and generally find a new home for everything. Many of you may have parents who were born between 1915-1950 and you’ll probably agree most were or are hoarders or ‘packrats’ as some say. Mine were.

When you are faced with this packing up task, how do you know what to do, where to start, what’s the right way to do it, and what’s wrong way? As I came to find out there are countless questions that just pound your mind, they certainly did for me.

Surprisingly no one really had the answers. I looked for help books in all the usual places, solicitors, funeral places, bookstores, libraries but not even researchers could find anything useful.

This was absolutely amazing. I thought people die every day, how can that be?

Sure there were lots of books and services on grief, legal and financial matters relating to the preservation of assets etc, but nothing on the basic nuts n bolts information of what people need to know on what to do when someone passes away. Said succinctly what to do with all their dare I say it, ‘stuff’, things, and possessions, sometimes collected over decades.

That’s when rather boldly, I decided to write a guidebook to help others but I need much more information. Over time, I wrapped up for four other people then decided to do some extensive research and an online survey with the help of a publicist.

Surprisingly I received over 40,000 answers to my questions and that’s how ‘Wrapping It Up – The Ultimate Guide’ was borne.

Although providing anecdotes, great information and insight, and detailed checklists, people from all around the country came back with one common comment. Finally someone has taken on the task of writing such a much needed help book.

One person wrote, “Congratulations on taking on such a task, you have created and provided something very helpful for people. I have given a copy to each family member.” Mona Drew.

Another person wrote, "The unique value of 'Wrapping It Up' is that it provides in a calm way, clarity and direction for others who are bound up with so much emotion they can't act effectively or logically. It's a reality check for every adult, helpful now or for the future." Public Speaker, Mike.

In writing this information book, I wanted to find useful ways to help others by providing solid insight and information, and to help reduce peoples fear, to save time, anguish, regrets, dollars and stress, and are I say family break ups? No I don’t think I’ll go there.

All of us hear about family breakups that often occur after a person has passed away. A lot of time it’s because of buried animosities, fear and greed that come to the fore. Suffice to say, people can prevent or reduce a lot of these actions and emotions by gaining knowledge and insight before they need to put it into use.

It is my belief as the author of ‘Wrapping it Up – The Ultimate Guide’ I have achieved that. I hope you think so too. While hard copies are available eBooks will be available soon. See www.wrappingitup.com.au for more information.

My goal has and still is to help others by providing them with this much needed information.