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What we leave behind for those we leave behind can weigh heavy on your mind …

The thing I’m most worried about is who will clean up my mess after I die.

To some of you, the thought may seem a bit strange. But I can’t help it. Perhaps it’s a character flaw, one I’ve had all my life.

Bear with me — I’ll do my best to explain.

Whenever I start something — a writing project, a meal, a load of laundry — I always think about what it’s going to take to finish the task, clean things up, and get everything back to normal. Whether I’m preparing veggies for a light snack, planning a meal for eight, or getting ready to take a shower, I know after the activity is done, there’s always some degree of cleanup required.

It may be as simple as discarding carrot peelings, storing leftovers, or washing a load of wet towels. To most people, they may seem like simple, everyday tasks.

Yet those thoughts worry me ...

Because what’s most important to me is that others enjoy the final result of my efforts — a healthy snack, a nutritious meal, or a squeaky-clean bathroom — without having to think about taking care of the mess.

I’m a planner, an organizer — an annoying scheduler. I take care of details and design contingency plans before they have a chance to surface. I keep things on track by creating a Plan A, B, and C. Nothing is left to chance, and nothing is left undone.

So I plan ahead to set my mind at ease.

Why is this concept so important to me, now?

What We Leave Behind for Those We Leave…

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