End-of-Life Planning: Lessons from the Mama Surfers
I've been reflecting on the Mama Surfers and their inspiring journey through end-of-life preparation. Over ten sessions, these women learned to tackle serious topics together, using tools like the At Peace Tool Kit. They found strength in community and are now more comfortable discussing end-of-life plans with their families.
Meet the Mama Surfers: A Story of Support
Last year, Karen celebrated her 55th birthday and sent her youngest child off to college. Determined not to let time slip away, she created a list called "65 B4 65." Before diving into her adventures, she realized she needed to tackle end-of-life preparation with friends. Together, they became the Mama Surfers to support each other.
Make a Will, Make a Difference
August is National Make-a-Will month, a perfect reminder to create or update your will. Despite knowing how important it is, many fail to discuss their end-of-life wishes. I’ll share a powerful story from 15 women who took action. Let’s make sure our loved ones are cared for when the time comes.
Don't Overspend on Funeral Arrangements
As spring arrives, I reflect on my father's passing and the challenges of arranging his cremation. After discovering significant price variations, I learned the importance of pre-planning and using resources like Funeralocity. Proper planning can ease the burden during difficult times and save money.
Behind the Scenes + A New Free Guide for Professionals
It's been a busy time for me as I reflected on my brother's anniversary and spoke at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Conference. I emphasized the need to recognize family caregivers and launched a guide to help healthcare professionals communicate about end-of-life care. Please check it out!
Rediscovering Family Ties in Santa Fe
Greetings from Santa Fe! I escaped the heat of Arkansas and found myself reconnecting with family memories here. It's amazing to walk through familiar places and feel my parents and loved ones close to me. Santa Fe truly is "The City Different," and this journey has brought me comfort and joy.
So about that hospice article in the New Yorker...
This holiday season, I couldn't stay quiet about the misleading article from ProPublica and The New Yorker. Instead of highlighting the real work of over 6,000 hospices, it focused on sensational fraud cases. Hospice care is essential, and we need to understand its complexities, not just sensationalize scandals.
Someone is “Expecting”…
About 33 years ago, I started teaching doctors about practice management and developed the first Procedure and Diagnosis Coding course for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Fast forward to my recent reflections on life’s beginnings and endings. I wrote a poem, “Expecting,” published in Intima: Journal of Narrative Medicine.
A Year of Reading Dangerously
I'm thrilled to kick off the year with an amazing opportunity! Renowned hospice physician, Dr. Karen Wyatt, started EOL University, which includes a worldwide reading group called A Year of Reading Dangerously. Join me in exploring powerful books about end-of-life and grief that can enrich our understanding and provide comfort.
Which costume do you like better?
Autumn brings a whirlwind of emotions for me. With my birthday, my brother David’s accident anniversary, and Bob's birthday all around this time, it's an emotional challenge. This year, a flooded laundry room could have sent me spiraling, but thanks to my proactive downsizing, I managed it with ease.
April 16th is an important day
In a recent conversation, I challenged a health coach who claimed that 90% of illnesses are preventable. While a healthy lifestyle is crucial, we can't ignore that death is part of life. With National Healthcare Decisions Day approaching, it’s vital to understand the importance of Advance Care Planning and documenting your wishes.
Recognizing Recurrent Totems
A few years back, I attended a lecture that inspired me to explore the symbols in my own art. For decades, hearts and butterflies have appeared in my work, which at first made me uneasy. However, researching their meanings revealed deep connections to my life, making me curious about how our experiences shape the symbols we love.
On Relishing Rejection
I’ve always found rejection oddly thrilling. Each rejection email is like a little validation of my courage to submit. Recently, I was excited when my personal essay was accepted for publication after a long wait. It felt amazing to overcome doubt and see my work resonate with others.