“Do You Have Some Scotch Tape?” An elderly lady sat next to me on the plane. She had accidentally ripped the front cover of the travel magazine she was reading. “Do you have some Scotch tape?” she asked the flight attendant…
The announcement came through the scratchy intercom; “Those who are in Section 3 may now board the aircraft.” Section 3 – it was finally my turn. I took out my passport and the slip of paper which I assumed was…
Taking care of Kate, before and after her death, was my first experience as a “death midwife.” Up until the 20th century, death care such as that our community gave Kate, was a common family and community undertaking (forgive the play…
Most people avoid death conversations like the plague. When I have the opportunity, I try to stir up conversations around the topic of death, dying and grief. I know most people prefer to talk about lighter things, but I find…
How many of you remember cassette tapes where you could fast-forward through a song that you didn’t like and find the one you preferred to listen to over and over again? It was never easy to guess when to…
Advance Care Planning aka “Auntie Annie wanted chicken…” “What would happen if you had a sudden illness or injury and could not make your own decisions? How would your family, friends or health care team know your wishes? Who would speak…
Imagine: a teen in a high school guidance office is eagerly showing the counselor a pamphlet about nursing courses in the community college. You can see the excitement in the youngster’s face – new horizons, new adventures – it’s all…