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I'm Dying to Know
Do you dare to think about your own death in reasonable, detached terms? Do you think that’s morbid and grotesque to even consider, or do you find it easy? If you find it easy to contemplate in the...
View ArticleI am that I am
Image via Wikipedia “…Death has been with you every moment of your life…You have s
View ArticleHappy days
For my second day at Ayder Hospital, I woke up ready. I knew what to expect, and I knew what had to be done. I mentally prepared myself through my morning routine – wash, brush, dress – and ate a...
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The Ungerleider Palliative Care Lecture Series Presents: “Exploring the...
By Jane Heisey Dr. BJ Miller, MD is the Executive Director of the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco and is recognized as a transformative thinker in the experience of end of life. Dr. Miller is also...
View ArticleImpinging becomes onslaught
I know I haven’t been here very much, but things have been very difficult for me. My mother has COPD and various other ailments. After her last hospitalization a couple months ago, it was recommended...
View ArticleDream as if you will live forever
Dream as if you’ll live forever live as if you’ll die tomorrow. Living and dying are iss
View ArticleDeadwood Zen
Sometimes I cannot resist the urge to write really bad poetry. This time, the occasion was the removal of some fruit trees from the parking lot of the apartment complex where I live. –JGM Remnant of...
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Haiga ~ On Meditation
. . As I learn and practice writing the smaller forms of poetry, I am more and more enchanted by the combination of words and art or, in this case, words and photograph. This past week I was in my...
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My Mother's Hands
The nurse entered the room timidly for he could see that we were praying. “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt,” he said, “but you really should remove her ring.” Disoriented by grief and fatigue, I...
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Book Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews: Up until senior year, Greg has maintained total social invisibility. He only has one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time—when not playing...
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Living on the Edge
Today I sat in a hospital room with someone whose life is coming to an end. I’ve done this many times over the years, with members of congregations where I served as pastor, and with members of my own...
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Mom, Dad, Close Your Eyes
I was headed to bed two and a half hours ago but people kept calling. Tomorrow’s the first day of my “two-a-days” with the workouts. I’ll be going to CrossFit (of course) and also now how a...
View ArticleWalking In the Rain
As I put on foot in front of the other, the tears flow, blending with the rain drops…I miss yo
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Places that are redemptive, and damning: Monday presentation by Stephen Burby...
Note: Mr. Burby kindly gave me his presentation (handwritten notes and all) in lieu of the fact that I was unable to attend the Monday session of the Summer Conversational Series. I thank him for doing...
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Home funeral practicum moments.
I spent a deep and profound 24 hours in Squamish this weekend co-facilitating a home funeral practicum with Don Morris and Wendy Rée. I was honored to take part in this extraordinary event and relished...
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Stolen Water is Sweet
Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their...
View ArticleKeepsakes for the Ages
When the phone rings and a voice says that they would like to request memory bears, I know that some
View ArticleOn Being Mortal
“We’ve been wrong about what our job is in medicine. We think our job is to ensure healt
View ArticleReflections on Living and Dying
Michael and I have spent the past five days sitting with his mom as she slowly makes the final journ
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The Power Behind "The Invisible String"
This post comes a bit off topic as it is not an intervention for adolescent patients but a story that I felt needed to be shared to show the power bibliotherapy can have on patients and siblings. The...
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