Thank yous are done (well, for $$ gifts anyway). While I’m appreciative of the money, it’s very uncomfortable for me. I’m putting it away for the kids’ education, but we don’t NEED it. I know there are others out there who could benefit from it.
One random question: Who writes a check to a dead man?
One of the checks was made out to Mike. He obviously can’t cash it. The bank suggests going back to the person who sent it and asking for them to redo it. That seems weird and awkward. And, I don’t know them – friends or neighbors of the in-laws, I think. Maybe I should have put a note in their thank you: “Hey, that’s nice and all, but Mike isn’t making many trips to the bank these days… can you write another check out to me?” Awkward.
Sidenote: Still haven’t heard a peep from the in-laws. It’s been almost 13 weeks since Mike died.
Sidenote #2: The (very generous) random anonymous cashier’s check was made out to “Mike’s children, c/o Jackie” – the bank let that one pass, but there’s a concern that it might get rejected since the bank information, including location, was crossed off (on both sides) with permanent marker. Someone really wanted to stay anonymous… I don’t know why.
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I think I probably would’ve put in the thank you note “thanks so much for the generous check. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to deposit it since it was in Mike’s name, but we appreciate the thought all the same.” Maybe they would’ve sent a new check then? Still see how it’s totally awkward though.