Sundae's Reward

Legendary documentary filmmaker Sheila Evans—who recently retired as longtime president of documentary films at HBO at the age of 78—took it upon herself to take care of one of those life tasks we all need to do: writing her last will and testament.

She’d written one before, “years ago, when dying was for other people,” as she put it. “I’m older now.”

In a video essay for PBS News Hour, Nevins saucily ticks off the coming benefits of her “non-beingness”—and staters her resentment of the young legal assistants who witness the signing of her document without “any evidence of pity,” and sign with their “unwrinkled, unfreckled hands.”

Click here to enjoy her humor as she enjoys her “final” reward afterward: an ice-cream sundae with lots of whipped cream on top.

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