Death is a big part of the conversation now.
We all want to live a good life and from what I’m gathering, we also want to have a good death.
I’m assuming a good death is being used as a verb…. as in the experience of doing it well, both for the person who is exiting this world and the people who will remain.
A friend of mine called me on Friday. She was shaken to the core. “I’m only fifty-one,” she told me, “ I’m not ready for my friend to die, but they just moved her into a Hospice facility and I know this is it.
What can I do?”
I counseled her to care for her own heart and soul by letting all her feelings of sadness and anger and grief arise. If my friend can get back to Florida to say goodbye, she will. If not, I suggested she speak with her friend by phone and to send her off with love.
I advised her to share out loud all the wonderful things she learned from her friend and said, "Tell her how meaningful her life was for you."
My Zen teacher once asked me, “ Liz, what are you 'reliable for' in this lifetime?
What is it, that one gift, that you can be replied upon to bring to others?”
“It is important that you ask yourself this question periodically,” he said, “because the answer can change…. just be sure you take time to ponder on this. It creates congruence between who you are, what your purpose is and what you bring into the world.”
I had met my friend's friend and just learned, she passed away today. She was reliable for bringing sunshine into the world; that was her nickname, Sunny. Her bright light will be missed. May she rest in peace.
We will all take our final curtain call —and move on — in the interim, please read this excellent article, by Katy Butler on preparing for a good end-of-life... This is something you can rely upon, for sure.
Join me in south Florida on Wednesday, May 22nd
Women's Wisdom Circle - 10:30 am - Noon
This week we will explore the topic : Opening the Conversation: On Life & Death
Levis JCC Sandler Center, Boca Raton
Membership is not required. $13 payable at the door.
21050 95th Ave S, Boca Raton, FL 33428
561-558-2520