It’s happened!

The Missing Pieces Plan is on Amazon – in paperback and Kindle!

You’ve asked when you can get a copy! The time is now! Today!

http://missingpiecesplan.com/amazon

(Those whom ordered their copy on Kickstarter, it’s on the way! Thank you for your kind support!)

My mission in creating the Missing Pieces Plan was to help families plan and in doing so, alleviate some of the suffering when a loved one dies.

I’ve given you the tool – – – The Missing Pieces Plan book + the worksheets.

Now, how do I help you keep the book from collecting dust? (Do you need to watch my inspiring “The Chat” interview again?)

Maybe not. BUT, I will share tips from the show to help you get started.

• Make some time to consider we could all be gone tomorrow. Envision what could happen and what you want.
• Take a look at the Missing Pieces Plan CHECKLIST (attached) to start your peace of mind journey. 
• Prioritize what is in the checklist to be applied your life. If you have small children, at the very least consider putting together a Will (where you name guardians) and consider obtaining Life Insurance. And, everyone of every age needs to document and share his or her wishes for end-of-life medical care.
• Get an accountability partner. Ask a friend to join in the journey of filling in the missing pieces and set deadlines to start putting your plans in place.

And, I would be more than happy to answer any questions. Text, call, email, message, tweet or dm me. I am here for you.

We are on this journey together.

“It’s in this planning, this “work”, this dreaming, that we can begin to fully live, find our true meaning, our values and passions and be able to share those with our loved ones.” 

Sending love and gratitude,

Jody

This year has been a year of Firsts for me.

A first – writing a book!

A first – being interviewed on TV and for the paper

A first – launching on Kickstarter

A first – learning social media! Blog posts, tweeting, retweeting, tagging, sharing. All new. All firsts.

And this is certainly a first…being labeled as a “mover & shaker.” Ha!

Here’s what I’ve come to learn after a year of so many firsts. 

Although I didn’t plan this, this was part of the plan. A plan bigger than I could have ever dreamed or imagined. This was the universe/God’s plan for me to spread this message, to help people plan, and to help alleviate pain and struggles for families who lose a loved one.

Despite the wear and tear and exhaustion of raising two awesome 6 year-old twin daughters, I am ready for the next round of firsts. I believe this message is important and it’s bigger than me. It needs to be told and shared. 

SO, what’s next?!? The Missing Pieces Plan will be launching on Amazon.com in the coming days. Stay tuned!

If you pre-ordered your book on Kickstarter, you will be receiving your copies soon!

Thank you again for all your support and love! I am so grateful.

Sending love always,

Jody

P.S. I am always looking for people who are willing to share their story with me. If you are interested in sharing yours, please let me know. You can always choose to be anonymous, too.

Hey! Great news!

We just randomly selected the winner of the Kindle Fire HD 8” Bundle!

We also are giving a gift to the person that shared the contest the most. Yay!

There’s more!

You’re all winners today because…

The Missing Pieces Plan w​as just launched on Kickstarter t​oday!!

Get rewarded for backing the Missing Pieces Plan project 2 ways:

PLEDGE: Make a pledge to the Missing Pieces Plan campaign and earn rewards!

SHARE: Share on social media and gifts to sharers will be given throughout the campaign!

Go ahead and check out how the Missing Pieces Plan can help you and your loved ones live now, by planning for ‘later’ and gift a priceless gift – of peace of mind.

The winner of the bundle is Lisa Pelzek-Braun. Congratulations on winning the Kindle Fire HD 8” Bundle!

Click here to back the project and learn more about how the Missing Pieces Plan book can impact your life: Missing Pieces Plan Kickstarter

Thank you!

Jody

Is there such a thing as planning too soon?

I don’t think so…

A good friend often makes fun of me for planning my daughter’s birthday parties months in advance. I LOVE any opportunity to plan. Especially fun occasions like parties or trips.

I hold the belief that nothing can be planned too soon – even how we choose to leave our loved ones.

“Leave a mess or a legacy.”

We get to choose what and how we leave our loved ones.

For many (or most) it may seem too hard to do what I’m suggesting, but that’s the beauty in the work. A more fulfilled life – a more LIVED life.

It is my hope that with the work we will do together in the Missing Pieces Plan book and accompanying worksheets, you will gain a better understanding of how you want to live NOW all while leaving your loved ones more prepared.

No one can prepare for what is to come completely. However, by doing a little planning today you can ease the burden your loved ones will one day face in your absence. The planning done today is a gift beyond measure. It is a priceless gift.

I hope you’ll join me as we launch this book and this movement to help us all prepare for what is to come and give a priceless gift – to ourselves and our loved ones.

JOIN ME!

We are launching the Missing Pieces Plan on Kickstarter NEXT WEDNESDAY!

Please help me bring the MPP movement to the masses by pledging to our campaign!! As friends and family, you’ll receive first ‘dibs’ on pledge categories and access to an Early Bird Special!

Why do we avoid talking about death?

Our Botox driven society does everything to prevent aging let alone accept the reality of death. Which is why, when death becomes a reality, most of us are inadequately prepared to deal with it.

Why? Why is it so hard to talk about – let alone plan for – how we might want to ‘go’?

Today’s medicine as well as our longer lifespans makes options ‘at the end’ that much more complex. However, despite the complexity, the discussion (and written wishes) of how you want to die is a gift. A priceless gift to those you leave behind.

Too many families are left in anguish or regret, wishing they had known how their loved one wanted to die in the end or how they wanted to be remembered. We can remove the unknown – did I do enough? Is that what she/he would have wanted? How could we have had more quality time in the end? How could we have lessened their suffering?

I am here to suggest that beginning the conversations NOW regarding your death will ultimately lead to a greater sense of how you want to LIVE – in the here and now, with your loved ones.

Yes, I am asking all of us to do a hard task. But aren’t there countless sayings about the splendor that exists on the other side of hard work? The opportunities are endless – what you will learn about yourself, your loved ones, your true desires, and how you want to create or build upon your legacy.

So, not only can you build the life you want, but you can do the same for your legacy and dare I say it, your death.

Join me as we start the conversation with loved ones and let them know our wishes. Peace of mind is a priceless gift to leave your loved ones.

Wishing you peace and love this holiday season,

Jody

What I would give to have my grandmother Fufu’s burnt orange longhorn Nike tennis shoes. “Fufu” was my dad’s mom and as the story goes, I am credited with her awesome one-of-a-kind grandmother nickname, Fufu. She was born Frances Fitzgerald. However, the nickname Fufu suited her so well.

My Fufu was a larger than life figure in my life (and I am pretty sure in the lives of my cousins and other family members as well). I spent a lot of time with her growing up. Most of the memories take place at her home where I would have sleepovers, swim and play with my cousins.

What I remember most about my grandmother Fufu were her painted on brown eyebrows, her ruby red lipstick, her Mexican inspired flowy blouse tucked into her long full skirt synched with a wide elastic belt adorned with a large gold daisy buckle and… those burnt orange Longhorn Nike tennis shoes. Oh, and her perfume! I think I’ve only smelled it once or twice on passing strangers in the 20 or so years since she’s passed but it takes me right back to sitting on her lap.

Club Med circa 1984

I don’t have the burnt orange longhorn Nike tennis shoes because I never asked for them. I was in my early 20s when she died and it wasn’t something I thought about it. Or maybe I did. I just thought there would be an opportunity to ask for them, but there never was.

You may care more about a family ‘heirloom’ that has more monetary or less monetary value than a pair of old sneakers, but if there is something you care about that you would like passed on to you from a family member, ask for it. Make it known that it means something to you. It’s likely your family member or loved one doesn’t know. I am sure my Fufu never dreamed I would want her sneakers!

How do I ask??

“Fufu, I want your sneakers when you die.” Sounds a little weird coming off the tongue. And, knowing my Fufu my request may have amused her. Me having the gall to think she might be leaving this earth?

So, How do you say it? Make “the ask”?

“Fufu, I would like for you to leave me your sneakers. I want to see them and think of you. They mean something to me. They remind me of you – and how you always danced your way through life – on a little extra padding.”

I wonder if we had shared this conversation, what it would have meant to her? I know it would have meant the world to me. Just the memory of the conversation itself. Then, the sneakers would have been cake.

When your loved one is gone, you will be glad you made “the ask.” That you not only have the memento or heirloom, you will have the memory of making “the ask” and sharing a priceless conversation.

Sending love,

Jody

The Missing Pieces Plan KICKSTARTER Campaign launches January 4^th! Enter to win a NEW Kindle Fire at www.missingpiecesplan.com. No limit on entries!!

What is the Missing Pieces Plan?

For starters, it’s a book.

But, it’s so much more. Which is why it’s often a tough question for me to answer.

Last weekend, my father-in-law would be 73. He left us 18 years ago – far too soon.

‘Too soon’ will come ‘too soon’ for all of us. Believe me, I know that is a hard sentence to swallow.

But, the Missing Pieces Plan is here to offer you (and your loved ones) a gift.

That gift is planning for ‘later’ so that you can live a more fulfilled life NOW. The Missing Pieces Plan is a love letter for those you will leave behind.

Eighteen years ago, my hope is that if we had had at least some of the ‘missing pieces’ for my father in law, the suffering we all endured could have been lessened. Maybe we would have at least known what he wanted at the end and been able to fulfill those wishes…

• What stories would he want told at his bedside?
• Whose hands would he want to hold as he left us? (All of ours, I know.)
• Would he have preferred to be at home versus a hospital miles away?
• What stories would he want to share with us ensuring his future grandchildren hear them one day?
• What lessons and inspiring words would he have for his sons and only daughter?
• How would he want to be honored, remembered?

I know, if better prepared, my father in law’s last days could have been different, better.

The hope is that by preparing, we can lessen the suffering for all of us and gain more minutes, hours, and days living and loving today.

By completing the Missing Pieces Plan, you will have a guide to help face what is ahead and spend more time living now.

The Missing Pieces Plan KICKSTARTER Campaign launches January 4^th! Enter to win a NEW Kindle Fire at www.missingpiecesplan.com. No limit on entries!!

In Chapter 5 of the Missing Pieces Plan, I talk about the importance of creating your advance care plan.

Advanced Care Planning allows you to begin the conversations now about your wishes in regards to medical treatment in the future. There are documents to complete, yes. But in order to be able to put pen to paper, this planning involves some deep thoughts in regards to what you would want in the event of a sudden illness or injury, or a chronic or life-limiting illness.

In the Missing Pieces Plan, I want to help guide you in formulating your wishes by asking questions like:

• What if I am no longer able to communicate?
• Is there an occasion or life event I would like to make sure I live long enough to see?
• Would life still be worth living if I were unable to do any or all of the following basic daily activities; feeding, dressing, bathing, walking, etc.?
• Are there any circumstances where I would want to put on a ventilator? Or, do I never want that?

Allowing yourself time to really contemplate what you want – (and acknowledge that these wants will change as we age and as circumstances change) – is a gift to yourself and your loved ones. By putting this missing piece in place, you are also taking an enormous amount of stress off your loved ones, since you are providing guidance for often-difficult decisions about your care.

Today, after seeing this video on Facebook, the above questions seem to have even more relevance. I am again reminded of the importance of gaining a true understanding of what you want and sharing it with your loved ones.

Click here to watch video.

This video of a grandson dancing with his fragile grandmother is priceless. When you see the smile across her face you can’t help but be moved. Knowing she is living here on earth – even in her frail condition.

So, I ask, would this be a wish of yours? Whether you can speak or not, walk or not, would you still want to be in your grandson’s embrace?

No wish is too small or too irrelevant. They all have meaning and are all important.

Make them, write them, and share them.

Live into what you want, your dreams, your wishes. We all can – if we spend the time making them.

Give yourself the gift of that time now. It will be a priceless gift for you and your loved ones ‘later.’

Sending love, Jody

The Missing Pieces Plan is launching January 4^th on Kickstarter. Sign up here for updates on the launch! www.missingpiecesplan.com