Joint checking...

The last few days there have been new situations in which Mike has been removed from my new life. This new life without his physical presence.

The first was in the form of a holiday wreath. Each year we would receive a wreath from mikes brother and sister-in-law. This year the wreath came and I was all to aware that the wreath was sent to just me, and when I signed the thank you card it was cemented - it's just me. Nope, still not used to it.

If the first situation was "cemented" this next one was set in stone. I was told at some point the bank would require Mike's name removed from our joint checking account. The letter came and I was asked to submit a new signature card. There was no "card" to sign, just another condolence letter and several unclear forms with a postage paid envelope. I made a trip to the local branch to confirm what box I was to check and where I was to sign. I put the envelope in the mail and two days later "our" online bank profile was gone. I had created a separate one months ago in anticipation of this day, but it was still disconcerting to see it gone.

Mike's name is still on the checks and I am told that is ok. The thought of new checks with just my name, for the first time in 20 years seems too strange. I wonder if I can add Tehya's name? And who knows, maybe before I need new checks; checks will have gone the way of corded phones and VHS tapes.