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.