Category Archives: Death and living while dying

The sources of meaning in your life?

What are the sources of meaning in your life? love, work, history, family, friends, pain, joy, creativity, responsibility, beauty, truth, goodness, humor, hugs, food, smells, music, lessons to give, stories to tell, people you need to forgive, be forgiven by, … Continue reading

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Let’s talk about how to get our choice

These stories are how people die in our times. We have more choice than we realize. Let’s talk about how to get our choice. :- Doug.

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Life is the work

Life is the work they are doing, the converse of which they are part. :- Doug.

Posted in Aging, Alzheimer's and other dementias, Caring, Conversation, Death and living while dying, Eldering | Leave a comment

How old?

How old do you want to be when you die? Young-old? Old-old? :- Doug.

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POST is for after

Living Wills, Durable Health Care Powers of Attorney, and the like are for before I get a diagnosis. POST is for after. :- Doug.

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Don’t be afraid

Don’t be afraid. Other people are not apart from you. They are a part of you. We are in profound territory. :- Doug.

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If, now.

Advance Directives: If, then. POST: If, now. :- Doug.

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I own this

I own this. I start the conversation. :- Doug.

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must happen in the family

The main conversation has to happen in the family. If the doctor has had a conversation with the patient, and then the family are the only ones conscious, things can get turned around. So doctors should be encouraging the conversation … Continue reading

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People can take truth

People can take truth if it’s not sugar coated. The even become hopeful. We do not know the essence of their hope. Maybe it is not to become free of disease. Maybe it is to hug their children one last … Continue reading

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Who’s there, who’s not?

When you’re dying: Who’s there, who’s not? Where are you, where are you not? What are you doing and not doing? What smells are around and not? Who is helping whom? Who died the way you want to die? :- … Continue reading

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Every last breath?

What’s important? Getting every last breath you can? Sharing every last hug you can? :- Doug.

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Gentle, life-generating

It is important to find essence, the part of life that is gentle, life-generating. So much of what we chase—money, clothing, houses, cars, respect, fame—melt away in the face of loving-kindness, comfort, and death. What is in these is essence … Continue reading

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Beyond surface what of death

Beyond surface what of death lasts? What are its boons? Think perhaps in the direction of poignancy…. :- Doug.

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flashes suddenly between us

Daily we hear others’ voices But not that within The soul we share And are Till death flashes suddenly between us :- Doug.

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If you were the doctor?

What should be the default, if you were the doctor? :- Doug.

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I thought this story was about…

Is there more to learn, to unpack from the “She died peacefully the first time” story? What the daughter thought was important. What upset the husband too. The son with his paper as well. What do you hear from each … Continue reading

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