Stories of helping a loved one die with dignity and grace.
GalleryThe Final Question
Carefully studying my father, his eyes closed as he traveled deep into his memories, I decided it was time to one ask a very difficult question. Pulling up a chair, I put my hand on his and said, “Dad, I need to talk to you.” Opening up those Irish blue eyes I loved so dearly, he waited for what he thought would be a pleasant conversation, only to be met with, “How do you want it to look when you die?”
Horrified, his face […]
GalleryAn Inconvenient Celebration
As I pulled letters out of the mailbox, my eyes immediately became transfixed on a large cream-colored envelope, complete with elegant calligraphy. By the weight, number of stamps, and shape, I knew something wonderful was waiting inside.
“Another wedding.” I cried out, excited. “How fun!”
For as far back as I can remember, life celebrations meant a party, and how I love receiving an invitation to any party; whether it be a birthday, baptism, graduation, or wedding. But, there’s one festivity where you don’t need an […]
GalleryStatute of Limitations
“I can’t believe he’d do this to me,” I cried hysterically. “After all, we meant to each other.” Curling into a ball, torrential tears melted my mascara as my entire world came crashing to an obliterated end.
Annoyed at yet another gusher, Mary, my sixteen-year-old BFF, had had enough. “Get over it!” she barked. “You only dated him a week.” Little did I know, when it came to broken hearts, there was a Statute of Limitations for my sorrow.
Throughout my life, I’ve been told countless […]
A Way to Never Forget
As the afternoon sun poured through the sliding glass window, I Velcroed my nine-year-old body against the kitchen wall to feel its warmth. It dripped down my tummy like hot fudge over vanilla ice cream. I closed my eyes and prepared to daydream, but as the darkness engulfed me, fear overwhelmed my thoughts.
“Mom, what’s it like to be dead?” I probed tentatively as she prepared dinner.
She looked over her shoulder, penciled eyebrows in a perfect arch, and giggled, “I have no idea. I’m not […]