God, I hate to ask this…


Recent conversations with the oncologist have been replete with phrases like ‘stage 4’,metastasis’ and unappealing statistics applied to survival rates. While my real and financial affairs are well settled I am most perplexed with how to approach this large pile of audio stuff e.g. 3 secondary systems in addition to the primary one, several thousand lp’s, a similar number of CD’s/SACD’s, a closet full of cable etc. I am utterly confident that I am not alone in this. While I am comfortable that my wife will love and care for my dog I am less confident that the Avantgardes will elicit such emotional investment. Although my immediate inclination is to cling desperately to these treasured objects it seems patently unfeeling to expect someone else to deal with all of this. My wife will have enough to do. I could just divest myself of much of it and depend on the collection of headphones that I began to amass during the first illness. I really don’t want to do this. I would also like to pre-bequeath much of it to friends assuming that they wanted it but all of them have been adamant in their refusal to discuss this with me and probably will remain so until the 11th hour. As childlike as it seems, I am emotionally invested in these fruits of a lifelong passion and want them to end up where they will be respected and loved . This seems to be a juncture that we will all come to. I would be grateful to hear the contemplations that all you have had in this, admittedly, sobering matter. 
To all of you, good cheer and good health.

 

williamjohnston

Showing 1 response by onhwy61

You need to figure out for yourself what's important and what's less so.  Do you have the time and energy to sort out where your equipment and music library will go?  From what you describe that's the real issue.

The unused equipment and maybe the secondary systems could be parted out now.  The same for most of your music collection.  If you want to give some things to people you know, then you should talk to them now and make the arrangements.  For your high end/high dollar equipment you should discuss with your family the best ways to dispose of them.  It should be no different then discussing real estate, vehicles or investment portfolios with them.  You might prearrange working with a dealer to help on this.

Not to sound macabre, but picking out your wake/sitting/funeral music can be a fun project.  Music has the power to bring everybody together even under the most difficult circumstances.

Best Wishes