Most people go through life almost on autopilot, especially when things are going well. We cruise through life and it can be hard to imagine life any other way. However, life can take a sudden left turn when tragedy or the unthinkable happens and our entire world is thrown into crisis. It can be hard to even know how to recover or figure out the next steps.
That is what this episode is all about: preparing for the unthinkable. This is something that my guest, Meredith Flint Sowers Koen, knows about all too well. Meredith has owned and operated Flip-Flop Gymnastics in her hometown of Rolla, Missouri since 2004. But tragically in 2009, her life changed in an instant when her husband, Seth, was in a car accident that left him immobile and nonverbal due to a traumatic brain injury.
Today, Meredith uses her experience to help others avoid the pitfalls of putting emergency planning on the back burner. Most importantly, she wants to show others the kind of love Christ has blessed her with as she navigates those twists and turns of life.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How a normal August day took an unexpected turn
- The age you should begin estate planning
- Helpful topics to discuss with your loved ones
- And so much more!
I hope this conversation helps open your eyes to the importance of planning, even for the worst.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Are You Prepared for Anything? with Kathi Lipp | Episode 4
- Connect with Meredith on her website or Instagram
- Join me at the Empty Nest Full Life Retreat!
- As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks.
My Key Takeaways:
1) Most people are not prepared should the worst happen. Just 22% of Americans have documented their end-of-life wishes. Should the worst happen, there are things you will wish you had set up that will make things easier for you, your spouse, or your family, such as a will, power of attorney, medical power of attorney, guardianship, and more. Everyone over 18 years old should take the time to meet with a financial planner or estate planning attorney to make their wishes known and have the necessary documents completed.
2) There is a learning curve as you re-orient yourself after a crisis. Experiencing a crisis is disorienting on its own. What most people don’t realize is you now have to learn the medical vocabulary while simultaneously navigating what you think your loved one’s wishes are. While you can’t be prepared for everything, you can take some steps to make the process less disorienting.
3) Have conversations with your loved ones now. It may feel awkward or hard to bring up to your spouse now, but should the worst happen it’s important you know what your spouse would want. Here are some examples of ways to bring up the topic with your loved one this week from the 820 Foundation:
- “I’ve been thinking about what I might want if I were unable to speak for myself or make my own decisions, and I’ll admit – it’s heavy! Can we talk about it together?”
- “It’s natural to think about the future, and what your preferences for care might be. You probably know people who have advanced directives (your parents, your grandparents, etc.) – have you ever thought about it?”
- “I’m curious as to whether your experience with [your loved one] has changed the way you think about your own preferences for your healthcare.”
About Meredith:
Meredith Flint Sowers Koen is a seasoned entrepreneur, business owner, founder of 820 Foundation, wife, and mother. She has owned and operated Flip-Flop Gymnastics in her hometown of Rolla, Missouri since 2004. In 2009, her life changed in an instant when her husband, Seth, was in a car accident that left him incapacitated with a traumatic brain injury. Today, Meredith uses her tragedy to help others avoid the pitfalls of putting emergency planning on the back burner. She still resides in Rolla with her husband, Jared Koen, and two children.
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