When Becky entered her mother’s house, she saw a note on the kitchen counter. “Dear children, I know you are grieving and by now are probably wondering what happened. Yes, I killed myself by car accident to save you estate taxes. There are several things you need to not do. 1. Don’t apply for any life insurance benefits. They won’t pay and will order a coroner’s inquest. 2. Destroy this letter. Don’t save it for posterity, it will only cause you grief. 3. Know that I did this because I love you.”

Becky cried. No amount of money was worth her mother’s life. None. She dutifully destroyed the letter by lighting it on fire in the kitchen sink and washing the ashes down the garbage disposal.