Thanks to Joseph R. Mills for inspiring this post. On Tuesday, I filed my income tax return with the help of a friendly volunteer at the senior center. When I posted this information to Facebook, my brother replied, “Oh crap, I haven’t done mine yet.” I reminded him of what happened the year our illustrious father waited till the last minute to file.
I don’t remember what year this took place. I was living on my own and working at the nursing home. On April 15th, Dad decided to file his income tax return. To ease the stress of completing the numerous forms and adding up the numbers, he consumed several glasses of wine. Then just before midnight, he made a mad dash to the post office to mail his return and was arrested for driving while under the influence. As far as his taxes were concerned, I’m pretty sure he avoided many unhappy returns, but as a result of the DUI charge, since it was a repeat offense, he couldn’t drive for six months.
Taxes weren’t the only area in which Dad procrastinated. When I was in high school, it took him three years to fix our roof. Actually, he never fixed our roof. Much to his annoyance, Mother finally called in professionals when I woke in the middle of the night during a rainstorm to find cold water slowly dripping on my head. I can see why the Chinese thought this an effective torture method.
After reading all this, you might think I don’t procrastinate. To tell the truth, I actually do. Since Bill passed away in October, I haven’t gone through his clothes, books, and other items to see what could be given away or thrown out. I also haven’t done anything with his computer which could be sold or donated. I also need to see about selling our van, perhaps to someone in a wheelchair who could use it. Fortunately, unlike a leaky roof, most of these tasks don’t need to be accomplished right away so I’ll get to them when I get to them.
This morning, I was planning to get back to my memoir which I haven’t touched in a month because of my trip to Florida and other obligations. Instead, here I am, writing this post, but I promise that as soon as I finish, proofread, and post it, I’ll start working on the next chapter. In the meantime, please don’t wait until the last minute to file your income tax return. Do it now!
Abbie Johnson Taylor, Author of We Shall Overcome and How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver
My Corner 
Actually, I was procrastinating when I stopped to read ylur latest article. I am supposed to be cleaning my office/fiber storage room. I did get it started, but sat down to have a look at the emails and there was your post. Now, I must beg back to the cleaning of the room, I suppose. My husband already did the taxes and it is sent in to the government. Fortunately, he did not get a ticket on the way there or back, so we are A-ok on that. Thanks for a nice break, Abbie.
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I never did start the next chapter of my memoir. My homemaker was cleaning, and there were other interruptions, and then I decided to take a walk before having lunch and going to an appointment this afternoon. When I got home, I took a nap. I hope to get to the memoir tomorrow. Thanks, Lynda, for your comment.
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Thanks for the funny memory of Dad Abbie. I think that was when I was at Boulder, but I’m not sure. Yes, taxes are stressful if you leave them to the last minute! I wonder, however, what Dad’s version of this story is.
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That’s a good question. You should ask him.
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