Death is Our Greatest Teacher
Dear Clients, Colleagues, and Friends of Treetown Law,
On March 1, 2023, I quietly reopened Treetown Law after pausing the practice for a little over a year. As you may know, Treetown Law closed abruptly on January 8, 2022 with the premature birth of my third child, Viggo Rick. Viggo was an enchanting, engaging baby who loved song and touch and eye contact. He also had a severe and extremely rare genetic condition called Trisomy 5p. After a long NICU stay and a difficult diagnostic and prognostic journey, Viggo came home on hospice care. We enjoyed several beautiful months at home with him, where he got to know his sister, brother, grandparents, extended family and friends. During this time, Viggo needed around-the-clock skilled care and was machine-dependent for breathing and eating.
While I am professionally trained to talk with adults about advance care planning, I never imagined advance care planning for a child—let alone my own baby.
Parenting Viggo meant making high-stakes medical decisions, over and over. It meant ensuring that he was as comfortable as he could be. It meant planning and preparing to give him a good death.
Viggo died suddenly, painlessly and peacefully in his parents’ arms on the morning of July 18, 2022.
I have written and will continue to write about our journey @momherenow on Facebook, at momherenow.com, and as a blogger-in-residence for Courageous Parents Network. It is a gift to be able to share Viggo’s life and legacy with the world. In his honor, I also serve as a Parent Peer Mentor on the Palliative Care team at Mott Children’s Hospital.
Now more than ever, I understand the complexities of caregiving and planning for children with special needs, as well as the nuances of high-stakes medical decision-making in the face of serious illness. Viggo made me a better human, mother, and lawyer.
I return to my practice with a renewed commitment to create an estate planning experience that enhances people’s lives.
Death is truly our greatest teacher. The estate planning process is an opportunity to learn from this teacher. My goal as your estate planner is that you come away with both a state-of-the-art plan that honors your relationships and values, and the intangible gifts that sitting with our mortality can afford—clarity of priorities, greater resilience, and a more purposeful life.
Many of you offered your love, patience and support over the past 18 months. Each act of kindness was a light in the dark.
With deep gratitude,
Ashley
P.S. If you or anyone you know hasn’t prepared adequately, Treetown Law’s doors are open. Start the process by scheduling a complimentary call with me here.
