Deep peace I breathe into you Oh weariness here, O ache, here! Deep peace, a soft white dove to you; Deep peace, a quiet rain to you; Deep peace, an ebbing wave to you! Deep peace, red wind of the east from you; Deep peace, gray wind of the west to you; Deep peace, dark […]

Having experienced the recent two-year anniversary of my mother’s death (on January 13th), I’ve realized how grateful I am for having been able to be with her as she passed from this life to the next. Reflecting on those final days and hours with her, I feel honored to be blessed with a deep inner […]

In March 2011, Rita and Albert Chretien disappeared while driving from their home in Penticton, B.C., to a trade show in Las Vegas—their GPS has led them astray…onto a logging road. A group of hunters found Rita 49 days later in the couple’s Chevy Astro minivan that was stuck in the mud. Thirty pounds lighter, […]

As promised in the last Blog post, here are the last 8 in a list of 15 things, which, if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and much, much happier. Instead of holding on to things that cause you a great deal of pain, stress and suffering, try letting […]

Here are the first 7 in a list of 15 things, which, if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and much, much happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress and suffering and instead of letting them all go, instead […]

Almost six months ago someone had asked me if, after the interment for my parents in July, that would be the end of my grieving…would I be able to get on with my life and put everything behind me. When the comment was made I had thought, “Maybe…maybe not. Grief is a journey. Is there […]

We Let You Go Into the darkness and warmth of the earth We lay you down. Into the sadness and smiles of our memories We lay you down. Into the cycle of living and dying and rising again We lay you down. May you rest in peace, in fulfillment, in loving. May you run straight […]

As far as deaths go, it was a good death. She died with a loved one with her, showing her affection and love. (I had always been concerned she would die alone…that I wouldn’t make it to her on time…or that she would die in her sleep, or from a stroke during the day…and I […]

Terminally ill patients have a common desire: to be treated as live human beings until the moment they die. Sometimes they ask, “Am I dying?” as a way of gauging your feelings. Instead of attempting to play God with a yes or no answer, reflect the question back: “I don’t know. How are you feeling?” […]

One woman shared with me how tough it had been for her to get rid of her parents’ belongings after they died. The process, because it included seeing, touching and smelling their possessions, dredged up countless memories…and feelings. When she re-framed it as redistributing her parents’ love, it made the job so much easier. For […]