Nothing else matters
Posted by Faith, 06 October 2008
Nothing else matters but family, friends, health and happiness. To lose one of these has a profound affect on our lives.
Three years ago, I lost one of my oldest friends, Sara, to cancer. She left behind Steve, her husband, and two young children. She was only thirty years of age and had battled, with what started out as breast cancer, for almost two years. Sara was a strong, vibrant, active person and to tell you she fought to the very end would be an understatement.
Once diagnosed, Sara made the most of what time she had left due to her positive attitude and the support of her family and friends. She went into remission for a short period and she regarded this as special bonus time. She collated photos and stories from her childhood and her parents as a gift to her children, and she also wrote about her love for them and Steve, and her dreams for their future. She remained so positive and hopeful for long-term recovery, when it would have been so easy to slump into bitterness. Unfortunately, the cancer was too prolific and I attended her funeral, just before Christmas in the second year.
My thoughts go back to her now for two reasons. The first because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the second, is because of a review I am currently doing of my own insurances.
Every year, I sit down and think about my life, in the context of the risks I face. I know this sounds like a morbid thing to do, but reviewing my life also reminds me of how lucky I am, especially when I remember Sara.
In the world of successful money management, it is as important to reassess your insurances, as it is to complete a budget. I have a lot of very special people in my life and I want to make sure that, if something was to happen to me, I would not become a burden to them. I have also worked hard to create a passionate, fulfilling life for myself. If I was to get sick or have an accident, I don’t want money worries removing my strength to fight for my recovery back to this life.
Having the right medical, life, critical illness and income protection insurances were key factors in helping Sara stay positive in her battle. She and Steve had enough to keep their options open through any eventuality. This not only helped her while she was alive, but it made a huge difference to the lives of her family after she died.
Any person and family copes better in a tragedy when disruption at home is kept to the minimum, if this is possible. Having the right insurances in place meant there was money still coming in, even though Sara could not work. She and Steve didn’t have to worry about the costs of her treatment or paying the mortgage. Steve was able to take time off work to spend time with Sara and the family when she was alive. After her death, Sara’s life insurance paid off the mortgage completely and provided sufficient money for Steve to take several more months off work. He was at home with the children when they needed him, which provided valuable stability in their lives. As they didn’t have to move house, the children could be close to their usual primary schools and friends, while Steve could also be near to his friends, family and familiar support networks.
This is why Sara had the right insurances. She knew it was far too important to leave these things to 'tomorrow,' because tomorrow can look very different to today.
Take time this month to review your insurance needs and contact your financial/insurance adviser to talk things over.
As I mentioned, Sara’s cancer started out as breast cancer and progressed from there. It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October and regardless of whether you are a mother, daughter, sister or grandmother, or a father, brother or grandfather, please encourage those you love to set aside time to get the right health checks. There is a better chance of surviving any cancer if it is caught early enough.
Please also take the time to support the Pink Ribbon Day street appeal in October and also the many breast cancer awareness events and pink parties throughout this month. We are a great nation of givers and that is what makes us the genuine, amazing people we all are. Just like my friend Sara.
My team, Kim Gabites and Jocelyn Watkin, will attend a Pink Party in October. They will donate a copy of “Keeping the Faith – Travel the World” to the auction items at the party, to help raise money for a number of breast cancer organisations.
For more information on breast cancer please visit the following websites:
www.nzbcf.org.nz
www.skipforlife.org.nz
http://www.sweetlouise.co.nz
http://www.janebissell.co.nz/books.html
www.bcn.org.nz
http://www.lgfb.co.nz
"Keeping the Faith - Travel the World" is now for sale. Click here to buy a book.
See previous blogs:
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Can you grow a money tree?
What's holding you back?
Money or your life - which has more value?
The seven secret thieves
Five questions to change your life
Find that spark
Switching lives - what would you choose?
Who can I trust to help grow my money?
How to swim in a sea of money
Life can be unfair
The rule of happiness
No way to live
Anyone can be good with money
Best ways to warm up winter
Who wants to be a millionaire?
The secret of wealth
Keeping your money safe
Having it all
Win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Europe (Part 3)
Win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Europe (Part 2)
Win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Europe (Part 1)
Make a change for good
A recipe for a happy Christmas
Nothing else matters
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
Make a wish come true
Buying or Selling a House – Those that care least, usually succeed
When is a good time to buy a house?
Sleepless Nights in a War Zone
Transitions - more life or more of the “same old, same old” boring stuff?