Papers needed review.

Accounts had to be reconciled.

The final amount was different from the large preliminary figure that had startled me in the parking lot.

It was still enough to change the shape of my future.

I retained a financial adviser with no connection to the estate, paid the applicable costs, and set aside funds for my education debt.

I resisted the urge to announce a grand gesture before the transfers had been completed.

Then I began making a different kind of list.