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Carolyn Morrell, a radio DJ at various stations for decades, was most recently a highly rated midday host in Boston. She was laid off early in the COVID-19 crisis. Sudden unemployment came as a shock, and in many ways, Morrell, who is in her Bucket years, mourned the loss of her dream job.

Gina Baker, is a 52-year-old college professor and athlete who suffered a severe injury that left her with constant back and sciatic nerve pain. “I hurt when I sleep, walk, sit, and stand,” she says. The prescribed anti-inflammatory and narcotic pain relievers from her doctor helped but resulted in side effects such as itchy skin and stomach irritation. “I also take migraine meds,” she explains. “I started to feel like I was taking a bucket of pills every day.”

Warren Buffet famously says, “An idiot with a plan can beat a genius without a plan.” Planned events like weddings, birthdays, and funerals are the cornerstones of life. But even the best planning can’t shield us from life’s inevitable curve balls, the disappointing realities of divorce, unemployment, and financial loss. Failure will happen.

Kip Hollister, 56, a successful business woman from Dover Mass, experienced the unthinkable recently. Her 23-year-old son, Chase, one of her four children, died unexpectedly. In the nine months since the tragedy,

My phone pings with a new email notification. “You have three new matches.” I giddily click to review the possibilities of my next relationship. “What has you so engrossed?” my husband inquires as I scroll with avid concentration. “Oh, nothing really.” With a sigh, I set my phone aside and pretend to busy myself with other tasks.

For most parents, the topic of mortality is unsettling. But for the parent of a special needs child, it can be overwhelming. What becomes of my son after I am gone? How will my daughter find her way? What will be the social, emotional and financial impacts? What can I do to make it OK?

The kids have moved out and it’s time to start checking some items off your bucket list. Finally, you have the time and flexibility to travel. Perhaps you dream of traipsing across Europe, or touring America’s National Parks. Maybe, it’s time for that extended visit with your snowbird friends in a warmer climate. The possibilities seem endless, except…what will you do with the dog?

How would you like to be remembered? Will your co-workers only remember the accolades and promotions you received at work? Will your family only remember the amount of inheritance you left to your beneficiaries? Or, will loved ones recall the characteristics that made you a caring friend, a loving spouse, and a patient and present parent?

You know you’re going to die…eventually. But you don’t think about death five times a day — unless you’ve downloaded WeCroak, a popular iOS and Android app that sends alerts to remind you death is looming.