Let’s face it. We are all going to die at some point. We hope you live a very full and long life but you are going to die. Are you ready?

Have you downsized all the stuff you have accumulated? Have you written your obit so you have said what you want to get out to the public? Have you made arrangements for the things you want to go to family and friends? If your pets survive you, have you made arrangements for them? Have you had appraised all the art, property, jewelry, and other stuff you have? Have you made arrangements for your memorial service or funeral? Have you gotten your affairs in order?

Gail Rubin has written a new, Kicking The Bucket List book and she makes all the points in a funny and matter–of-fact way. Gail is the Doyenne of Death but it is a good thing. She is an expert on dying the way you want. She promotes everything in its place and ready.

You know the old saying – you can’t avoid taxes and dying? We hate taxes but we aren’t afraid of them. We just study, get our receipts ready, and file. The same goes for dying. You just have to be ready and not fear dying. And like Frank Sinatra said, Do It My Way!

You can read this Bucket List yourself and also give it as a gift. Give it with a journal so someone can make notes of what they have to and want to do. The Kicking The Bucket List will be out the first part of September and it is a good thing! It got me thinking and acting!

— Barbe Awalt