Have you ever heard of Advanced Care Planning (ACP) and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

I only came across the LPA term when I was I preparing to take my real estate license. Even then, my understanding is still quite theoretical and limited to real estate rather than practical in other aspects.

As for ACP, it was an entirely a new term for me until I was nominated by my parents. I was a nominee for their LPA and ACP together with another sibling and we were present for both interviews.

Recently there were advertisements all around in the lift of my parent’s place.

It came up in a conversation with my parents that they should get it sorted if they do not want their kids (us) to have disagreements when the time comes.

I did not feel much during the LPA interview where my parents were accessed by the doctor to certify that they are mentally sound at the time of nomination. I just felt that it is a big responsibility to manage their assets when they are gone.

However, I failed to hold my tears and wiped them off am several times during their interview with a facilitator for ACP.

The facilitator asked my parents to define the definition of being healthy and the stage and degree of care they can accept. Right up to the type of funeral and religion they want, place and the number of days.

Most importantly, my parents made the decision when doctors can pull the plug and made sure it is documented to save their children having to make the decisions later.

I started tearing after my dad cited his predicament of the time my grandmother was in intensive care and passed on later.

He said he did not want us to shuttle between work, children and sleeping at the hospital when they are sick.

If this is not love for their children, I don’t know what this is.

My heart ached so badly. Dad was my age now when he went through all that. As a typical traditional Chinese man, he never mentioned anything about his thoughts and feelings all these years.

I tend to think of my grandmother as a distant memory but to my dad, she is his mum and very much in his heart all these years.

Thank you mum and dad for loving us. I am grateful to be borne into this family with such wonderful parents. I don’t think I will ever forget you.