More people are beginning to realise that human life is indeed fleetingly short. However, for most, this realisation seems to stop short at just this point, and does not extend very much further beyond this. We understand that when we leave this life we leave the world we knew and all its attachments. What we do not seem to grasp or perhaps we do, but do not really see the urgency to act on, is the importance of ensuring the loved ones we leave behind, will be able to physically go on with some semblance of financial comfort.
We often hear of friends and family who pass on suddenly and this is tragic as in almost all cases, there is no will, thus making things very difficult for the loved ones left behind, who not only have to deal with the painful loss but also now have to be burdened with a financial disaster too. If the deceased is the main income or even the sole breadwinner, things can get to a point where the loved ones left behind wish they were given the relief of death too, as living in the nightmare of trying to survive without the deceased financial contribution would be impossible. Then there is the scenario where the deceased leaves behind substantial wealth, which then becomes the doom of all, fighting for it.
Peter Lee’s book To Delay is Human but to Will is Divine is a revelation to the very real pain and suffering loved ones endure when there is no will in place. The implications for all members of the family having to deal with someone dying intestate, dealing with lawyers and all the nitty gritty details of sorting out the remains of the estate and when particularly large, is a nightmare.
The simple style chosen helps the reader truly understand the implications and importance of ensuring there is a will in place. The cartoon characters lend some humor to an otherwise deadly serious topic. The urgency to have a will drawn up will be an action the reader is likely to want to jump into even before finishing the book.
This would make an ideal gift for anyone and everyone, if we could just understand and look upon it as a loving gesture and not the taboo that anything involving death conjures up in our imagination.
To Delay is Human but to Will is Divine (96 pages, RM28) is available from Peter Lee (012-507 8825/05-255 4853) at 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, email: excelsecms@gmail.com; Rashi Mini Market (019-510 6284), 37 Jalan Perajurit, Ipoh Garden East, 31400 Ipoh and Ipoh Echo. It will also be available at all major bookstores in March 2013.
