Alan passed a little over two months ago. We always expected he would go before me, and we planned accordingly. While he had every intention of living until 100, we always talked about what to do when he wasn’t here anymore. While his passing on April 22 was a surprise, because we’d talked about it often, I knew exactly what to do.

I’ve been working diligently, with the help of many generous friends, to carry out his final wishes. His will is being probated. I’m his Executor. I have a few major things I need to accomplish to complete the probate process and finalize his estate with the government (the IRS always gets their portion), then I can take my time with the rest of what needs to be done.

I have been following a deliberate process, because for me, taking care of these things is part of my grieving process. We had plans — everyone does until they don’t anymore. While I’m still alive, part of my life’s purpose will be to complete what we started. The path, in many cases, has shifted, but I have decided to complete Alan’s projects in a way that will honor him and his goals as much as possible. We had dreams and plans, and without him, some of our dreams are not my dreams, but I can honor those dreams in the next steps I take as I transition to life without Alan physically here.

For the last two months, I have been preparing to sell two properties. The store building is being emptied and will be sold. The ranch is being cleared of our possessions and will be sold. The motor home was on the ranch and had not been moved for nearly 20 years. I found someone who fell in love with the motor home and has been developing dreams for it. She has moved the motor home to her property and will be breathing new life into it. Once the ranch and the 4th St property have sold and the proceeds distributed, I will have completed most of the probate process and can begin wrapping up Alan’s estate.

After these tasks are completed, I will begin the process of determining the next steps for the 1946 Mercurys, the 1956 Lambrettas, the 1972 Suzuki GT 380, our glassware collections, my polar bear collection, our vintage signs, and our other numerous collections. I have not mentioned the lanterns, because they are spoken for as soon as I can get them all gathered together, we can make arrangements to transfer them to their new home.

If you wish to follow along, I’ll be using the Transitions Category.