Since I'm starting a second blog, I thought I would post the cover of Emily's Will Be Done and the summary of the book.

 



After the sudden death of my friend Emily, I, a Nova Scotia Social Worker and business person, find myself the sole executrix of what turns out to be a very complicated estate, compounded by mystery and wrapped in layers of lessons learned. Like many of life’s episodes and occurrences experienced for the first time, one does not know what one does not know. I wind my way through necessary steps, holding tight to a friendship lost, and persevering amid the torment of beneficiaries, banks, and unanswered questions. Emily’s Will Be Done not only tells the story of executing an estate fraught with the standard inherent difficulties, it tells a story of love and loss, of a lonely woman layered with enigmas and surrounded by secrets, of how friendship may well transcend life itself. You will discover the many facets of Emily as you uncover the mysteries of the executor role along the way.

Look for the book at Chapters Online, Amazon, other online bookstore, or order from your local bookshop. You can also contact me directly for a copy.

Comments  posted on my web site so far:

 

"What  a great book. I ate, chewed and absorbed every word I could. I loved it and will again read it through and through." B.H.

 

"Nicely done. Finished it last night. I must say, your writing has great clarity, an admirable trait." M.deV..

 

"Many thanks for the book. We have both read it and will read it again. Great read, flowed so well, also a good reference for taking the role of executor / executrix." S.& E.J.

 

"I enjoyed it immensely and will probably read it again. You did a phenomenal job with writing and following Emily's wishes." L.K.

"I loved the book. It's one of those reads that when you pick it up, you can't put it down till you hear how it unfolds - you are indeed a talented writer." L.C.

"Once I started, I just couldn't put it down!! Not only is the subject covered in an interesting and educational manner, but the writing, itself, is superb!! Congrats on your first edition...I give it a thumbs up for sure. S.H.

"This book was eye-opening for what you went through, having to put aside your feelings. It was inspiring." A.C.

"What a wonderful piece of writing. Thoroughly enjoyable and informative." J.P.

"We have to take our hats off to you and hope this is not the end of your writing career. We will use your book as a guide to getting ready for the inevitable. Please let us know where we can purchase (in B.C.) so we can pass on the info to friends." V.& B.B.

"Suzanne, what a great read. You did a great job. Looking forward to the next one. I guess you are right. We never truly know someone. You have made me think and will have specific lists for my executor. Keep up the good work." V.G.

"I absolutely loved your book!! I finished it last evening and found it hard to put down when interrupted. It not only was a glimpse into Emily's life but the author's as well. I found it to be both an adventure and a mystery, with all the twists and turns of events. A.-S.V.

"Just finished your book and what an amazing story. I found it quite fascinating and there is so much involved in fulfilling your obligations." D.V.

"This book is an education and a poignant journey of discovery, (and it reads like a guilty pleasure). A must read for anyone who plans to execute a will and a should read for everybody else. Emily's Will Be Done is a striking achievement." L.McC.

"This book is a penetrating account of the emotional aspects od administering a friend's estate and insuring that her wishes are fulfilled, despite the frustrations of red tape. After forty years as a lawyer in this field, I recommend the book both as a preparation for the layperson who may one day face the same chore, and for the professional who could improve the quality of the services by gaining much insight into the client's point of view." B.C. (Q.C.)

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES:

I am very pleased with the coverage I've received from local press regarding my book.

The link attached will take you to the article in the local Liverpool, NS newspaper referencing the launch of Emily's Will Be Done at Lane's Privateer Inn on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 2PM.

http://www.theadvance.ca/Living/2013-09-04/article-3372925/New-author-launches-book/1


Here is the link to the Annapolis Valley Events Guide discussing my launch at Box of Delights in Wolfville, NS on September 14, 2013 from 11AM to 1PM.

http://valleyevents.ca/24165


Finally, here is the link to the Tribune Post with an article about my upcoming launch at the Marshlands Inn in Sackville, NB on October 6, 2013 from 1-3PM.

http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/Living/2013-08-28/article-3367722/Sackville-native-set-to-launch-%26lsquoEmilys-Will-Be-Done%26rsquo/1?action=sendToFriend

Wanted to update readers regarding Emily's Will be Done.

I now have an author page on Facebook. Click Like if you want to keep track of happenings.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/L-P-Suzanne-Atkinson-Author/151262418412914?ref=hl


My website is updated regularly with news and events as well as comments from readers. There is a GoodReads button for those of you who like to rate books on Goodreads. Your ratings and reviews are very much appreciated.

http://lpsabooks.wix.com/lpsabooks#

https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=emily%27s+will+be+done


Upcoming launch / reading / signing dates:

September 8, 2013 - Lane's Privateer Inn, Liverpool 2PM
September 14, 2013 - Box of Delights, Wolfville 11AM-1PM
October 6, 2013 - Marshland's Inn, Sackville, NB 1-3PM

Books are available from me directly, from Friesen Press, Amazon, Chapters, your local bookstore and wherever you get your ebooks. Lanes and Box of Delights both have books in stock as well.

http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000011391315

Thanks to everyone for all your support.

Book Launch and Book Shipping

Today, I set up an author page on Facebook. Pop over and click Like
Search for it via L.P. Suzanne Atkinson Author

My first launch is set for Sunday, September 8 at Lane's Privateer Inn in Liverpool. Here is their website: http://www.lanesprivateerinn.com/

You can order a book from me by writing lpsa.books@eastlink.ca
They are $13.00 + $5.00 for shipping

Thanks so much for your support.

Finally...here is the link to my website!

http://lpsabooks.wix.com/lpsabooks#

Emily's Will Be Done is now available for purchase in paperback or ebook.
Here is the direct link from Friesen's
Emily's Will Be Done

You may also contact me through the email attached to this blog. I won't have books for a couple of weeks, but send me a note if you want to purchase through me. It will be $13.00 + $5.00 for mailing.

My website will be up shortly - just ironing out a few kinks.

Thanks for all your support.

So....Emily's Will Be Done is now on the Coming Soon list at the Friesen Publisher Bookstore. You can have a peek by going to this link:

http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore


Once it is available, I will let everyone know. You will be able to access via me, directly, by using the email attached to this blog. You can go through Friesen's to get a hard copy or an ebook. You can take the ISBN number to your local book store and order it through them.

I will post upcoming launches and the names of local stores where it will be available.

I will also launch my website once the book is officially available.

Thanks for your support, everyone.

Well....hard to believe but this is the last exerpt from Emily's Will Be Done. The final manuscript has been forwarded to Quality Control and then it will be pricing, marketing, and printing. Although I don't know exactly, it won't be long now. I will use the blog to post information on availability, ordering, book launches and whatever else seems important. The end is actually in sight!

EPILOGUE:

It is impossible for me to finish my story without providing you with some tips and observations. My mother taught me to share information and not to keep knowledge to myself. I have learned, over the years not everyone appreciates that quality, so you certainly do not have to partake of this information if you don’t want to do so. Also, it is my opinion alone - not from a lawyer, probate judge, or other party, legal or otherwise - just me attempting to share those things my friend Emily has helped me learn on our journey together after her sudden death. (Atkinson, 2012)

The epilogue simply lists a few helpful hints that might come in handy as one prepares their will or anticipates accepting the role of executor for someone else. Anything listed was addressed through the story and the epilogue is only to clearly list the absolutes for those readers finding themselves in need of such things.

In summary, I do not see Emily’s Will Be Done as a self-help book, but more as a story of a quirky and unusual woman whose sudden death and subsequent estate complications serve to underline the qualities of friendship that last well beyond life itself. An additional benefit occurs if the reader finds some food for thought, or asks themselves some questions along the way, regarding estate management and their personal circumstances.

NOT QUITE DONE YET:

I change as a result of managing Emily’s estate. For one thing, I pay closer attention to what I keep in the drawer of my bedside table. I call my mother and tell her that if she has anything in her house she doesn’t want me to see, to get rid of it now. Lasting impressions are made in what you leave behind. I do not want anyone lifting up a corner of the carpet of my life and finding all the dirty bits I never took the time to resolve. Finish business. Clear the decks. We are all on the same path. (Atkinson, 2012)

This final chapter tells the reader what the author has learned – not only about the execution of an estate, but about her friends Emily and Rob, and especially about herself. Managing Emily’s estate was a life altering experience.

THE BEACH:

It is not quite dusk and the sky has that magical mix of daytime azure and evening indigo. The skies in this part of the world, particularly at this time of the year, seem to wrap around you like a cloak. We drive to the edge of the dunes, park the car, and carry the two buckets across the boardwalk and down to the beach. The tide is moving out. The wet sand is packed like concrete under my bare feet. My footprints are deeper than usual, carrying Emily’s ashes with the metal wire handle digging into my palm. The smell of the tide pools, filled with periwinkles, seaweed, ownerless shells, and the ecosystems of frail sea life leave a salty whisper on my cheeks and lips, comforting me with its familiarity. I smile to myself, wrapped in all this emotion and still looking like just another quahog digger taking advantage of a receding tide on a balmy summer night. (Atkinson, 2012)

This chapter is the story of honouring Emily’s wish to have her ashes and those of her husband, scattered in the ocean. It is emotional and personal – the ultimate of all requests, carried out regardless of the inherent difficulty, and guaranteed to create a serious influence in one’s own book of life. The chapter clearly illustrates that executorship is much more than banking and beneficiaries; much more than selling property and cleaning out closets. The executor feels the ebb and flow of a life over and over again, as she travels through the necessary steps to a final resolution.

THE BENEFICIARIES:

 

She wrote her will within a year after Rob passed away and I am executing that will some nine years later. It has never been revised. Consequences are suffered as a result.

The calls from beneficiaries who want their money are coming on a fairly regular basis. I hear from one particular relative frequently and his calls are getting desperate. I discover, later, that he called the lawyer and expressed suspicions that I may be misusing funds and he is not going to get his money. Another relative has called a couple of times, insisting that they be told ‘my cut’. (Atkinson, 2012)

Dealing with beneficiaries can be complicated. In this particular case, many of those receiving money were relatives of Rob in some capacity, and knew Emily only in a vague and general way. It is certainly not unreasonable to suggest that receiving their generous financial bequests was their overall priority. Challenges with the beneficiaries stem mainly from how the will was written. There is no contact information. There is also a trust to be established and administered by the executor and this trust could well outlive her. Alternate arrangements are required. The purpose of this chapter is to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding bequests and show the reader how things can be better streamlined. Asking the hard questions at the time of taking on the role of executor is paramount in avoiding complications after a death.

As promised, this is the complete cover (or as close as possible).

THE TRAPPINGS OF LIFE:

I have been an auction fan most of my life. As a child, I lived with my family in a new subdivision that backed on to a hayfield where outdoor auctions were held every other Saturday, rain or shine. Not wishing to date myself, I will reveal that this took place during the time when a child of eight or nine could wander independently among the old tables, wobbly chairs, commode sets, and iron bedsteads; could reach out and touch a ragged quilt or thumb through a photo album filled with brown and grey images of frowning and stern dead relatives of someone or other. (Atkinson, 2012)

Although the physical labour of disposing of personal items like clothes, food, and medications has been completed, the task of formally appraising the contents of Emily’s home and subsequently selling every item begins. This chapter details that process and illustrates the challenges inherent in liquidating the possessions of a consummate collector. Emily and Rob went overboard with accumulating items they thought would eventually appreciate in value. The executrix is left with a chore of turning these items into cash for the estate, as the ultimate goal is to pay the beneficiaries the monies they have been promised. The liquidation of household items by an executor is a common occurrence in estate management. The writer takes the opportunity to share this albeit extreme circumstance with the reader.

THE GUN:

In my somewhat biased opinion, guns are a curse. The world would be a better place without any guns at all. The more control and regulation the better. I find bullets, and lots of them, in Emily’s bedside tables - enough to fill a small grocery bag. We have the bullets. Now, where in God’s name, is the gun (or guns)? (Atkinson, 2012)

Chapter nine is all about the search for, and disposition of, a gun the executrix has no idea even existed prior to the death of her friend. Her reaction, her decisions regarding the gun, and her tenacity in ensuring the process is carried out to her satisfaction all stem from a personal injury incident years before. The story of the gun serves to illustrate how the emotions and experience of an executor can become pivotal in estate decisions made along the way.

SEARCHES:


Emily leaves a substantial bequest to a gentleman whose name is Gregory Creighton. I have chosen not to document exact figures regarding the estate, but it suffices to say his bequest would be a windfall for an ordinary working person of middle class means. I do not know who this person is. None of the other beneficiaries know him and so my search starts, virtually from the time of initial notification. (Atkinson, 2012)

Chapter eight illustrates clearly the consequences of creating a will with dreams and wishes rather than cold facts. New information about her friend, not known prior to her death, is revealed to the author. Legal counsel permitted Emily to leave a bequest to a person whose whereabouts are unknown and the ramifications to the executrix are huge. This chapter is shrouded in mystery and unanswered questions but the reader may learn, via the story, how to avoid such personal complications themselves.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS (II):

While others, no doubt, primp for a party or curl up by their fire ready to usher in 2010, David and I stop at the local grocery store and pick up a couple of frozen dinners. We get a bottle of wine and make our way back to Emily’s through the icy, quiet streets of the little town. We sit in her family room and listen to CBC on the radio and eat something from a box with not enough vegetables and way too much salt, as we plan our next attacks before the weekend is over and we are again forced to navigate the winter roads back across the province. (Atkinson, 2012)

The work is lonely. It involves sacrifices. If Emily had imagined, even for a moment, what we went though, she might have done things differently. What is left behind for an executor to manage oftentimes sends unintended messages.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS:

Violet deals with Emily’s clothes. She trudges through the snow between their adjoining back yards to the house every day and toils away for a few hours. She methodically cleans out drawers and closets, packing items into green garbage bags for pickup by a local charity. Lingerie goes into the garbage. Anything else requiring repairs is trashed as well. Emily has clothes in every size imaginable. She has more than fifty pairs of shoes and a couple of dozen coats. Some garments have never had the tags removed. She has purses that still have their paper packing inside. Every closet in her three thousand square foot Cape Cod home is stuffed with clothes. In the end, there are ninety-three green garbage bags that wait stoically for the charity pick-up van. I stand at the top of the utility room stairs and gaze out over the garage floor, down on a sea of green sacks with their integral red ties, all neatly arranged in rows by Henry. They manage to look festive with that particular Christmas colour combination. They cover all the space where two cars could have parked. Violet and I are both completely baffled. In all the time we have known Emily, in all the conversations we have shared, she never once discussed shopping for clothes with either of us. (Atkinson, 2012)

And so, the work of cleaning out someone else’s house begins. You never really know a person until you start combing through their bedside tables and their dresser drawers. Emily is full of surprises. She was always a very private person but the author has no idea the life she was leading. Her health problems, her money problems, her loneliness and her grief are all clearly illustrated by her decisions and through her possessions. It is overwhelming and the author does not get through it without the support and help of a very select few special people who also come to understand the Emily behind closed doors.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY:

Over the years, once I agreed to be Emily’s executrix, she often teased me about a safety deposit box she and Rob maintained since they left their posting in Waterbury, Alberta back in the 1980s. She informed me the box was filled with valuable coins and dreamt of a road trip where she and I would cross the country and clean out that box. I even suggested, once, that we take the train to Edmonton and then the bus to Waterbury. She just laughed. Sure enough, as I root through Emily’s paperwork during those first days following her death, I discover the lease for two boxes at the Credit Union in Waterbury. Emily and Rob had faithfully been paying the annual fees for almost thirty years. (Atkinson, 2012)

Chapter Six introduces the reader to all the challenges of dealing with Revenue Canada and three separate banks, one of which is located in Alberta. There are some pleasant surprises and some almost insurmountable challenges. Everything has to do with relationship building and connections between the executor and those people in positions of authority who must act as needed for the benefit of the estate. Tenacity is a quality that comes in handy on more than one occasion.

NO TIME TO CRY:

The nine days that follow Emily’s death and drag me steadily to her funeral on November 22, 2009 are surreal. I do not keep a diary, which might have been wise, but where would a person ever find the time to examine the moment let alone scratch out the thoughts? Fortunately, I keep calendars where I document occurrences. Time lines are critical every step of the way. I have always functioned better with a plan but I have no idea how valuable this skill will become in the days ahead. As I review those support documents now, it takes my breath away to recall the volume of tasks accomplished that first week. (Atkinson, 2012)

This chapter puts the focus on initial steps – the house, the pets, the vehicle, the bank accounts, the bills, the mail, the insurance, the funeral and, without a doubt the most important aspect, the organization of it all. Executing the will starts taking on real form and function at this stage. The author learns that as executrix, the sole responsibility of this estate falls on her shoulders. Exactly how she manages that burden will determine whether or not beneficiaries  receive their bequests as written in the will. There are successes and failures. There are ups and downs. It is not a task. It is a process.

GETTING THE CALL:

It's three o'clock in the morning of Friday, November 13, 2009 when I get the call. Don't we all live in fear of that early morning phone call? In the split second between the ring and the answer, I hope against hope it is some disoriented drunk with a wrong number. (Atkinson, 2012)

Almost all of us have had the conversation at one time or another, with spouse, friends or family. Would we be able to make the decision to pull the plug for a loved one? Would we want a loved one to pull the plug for us? We have those talks when it isn’t serious, but rarely do we have the real discussion that enables us or a loved one to take firm and informed action when necessary. Chapter Four talks about this and describes the author’s circumstance in detail. It also follows through that first day, the learning curve that turned into a vertical climb and the beginnings of secrets revealed at Emily’s home. It starts the process of coming to know and understand that third Emily, the one the author uncovers after her sudden death.

THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL:

I never once inquire about the state of that very important filing briefcase. I never ask if we can go through it again after the first time she shows it to me and brags about all the folders and how perfectly organized it is. It sits under the desk in the kitchen, in plain sight, collecting dust and cat hair for what turns out to be years. To keep abreast of changes in her financial and personal circumstances would have been wise, but frankly, no matter how strong our friendship, I feel uncomfortable unless Emily brings it up, and she rarely does after the stock market issues. (Atkinson, 2012)

This chapter provides the chronology of events leading up to Emily’s health, personal, and financial crises. It paints a picture of the second Emily, this widowed Emily the author comes to know. It describes how the writer gets involved, first as an Enduring Power of Attorney and then in accepting the role of Executrix for the future. It serves to illustrate some classic pitfalls and mistakes made when agreeing to act in these particular capacities and shows, by example, some important areas to address.

ROB'S DEATH AND THE AFTERMATH:

No one seems to know what the problem is. Rob has not been well for a couple of years. He loses a lot of time at work and ends up on long term disability leave. His eventual cancer diagnosis is vague, certainly as reported to me by Emily. They are not prepared for a terminal diagnosis and try to spin ‘lung cancer’ into something nonthreatening and understandable. It is a horrible time for the two of them. Living more than an hour from treatment, trying to manage their pets and run a business – it is all too much for Emily. (Atkinson, 2012)

Chapter Two serves to illustrate some of the difficulties that arise in situations where a couple is totally dependent on each another. The writer sees the issues that are beginning to develop once Emily is alone, but can do little to prevent the inevitable. Extravagance, poor financial stewardship, and a hopeless longing for the past all effect the decisions Emily makes. The consequences, oftentimes, are dire.

SETTING THE STAGE:

Emily and Rob are complicated people. In many ways, they are like overgrown children, as they regularly indulge one another regardless of the consequences. To describe them is to explore many extremes and many hidden depths. (Atkinson, 2012)

In Chapter One, the writer tells how she and her husband initially meet the couple. Pictures are developed of Rob and Emily, their life together, as well as their individual strengths and weaknesses. A baseline for the friendship itself is established. This represents the Emily before the death of her husband.