Death is not a problem to be solved or overcome, but rather a time for sharing meaning—an experience of awakening to the value of life.
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
Everyone is born with a limited amount of time. Every moment we live—whether we’re working, playing, complaining, or being thankful—is time that we’ve spent. Nothing is more valuable than the time we have left.
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
“It is so hard to lose a parent. I’ve lost both of mine long ago, and now my children are losing me as I die of lung cancer. From the parent’s point of view, I can tell you that the only thing that matters to me is the expression of love from my family. It turns out in the end that the only thing that matters is love…whether it comes from a visit or a phone call.”
~Sarah
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
Read an excerpt now
TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
Happy 68th anniversary Mom and Dad!
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
“My brother and I were not told that our father was dying. We found out after he died that he and his wife had known for months in advance. This experience left my brother and me angry and sad. We felt like we have been cheated out of an opportunity for some meaningful last moments and a chance to give our love to him (by whatever we could do for him) one last time. We have forgiven our father and stepmother but have learned a lesson about sharing with people who love you. I know my father wasn’t trying to be selfish or exclude us, but that was how it felt. I love him for wanting to be strong for us to the very end but I wished he hadn’t done it that way. I understand he was acting from a place of love and paternal protection, but if I am ever in a similar situation I know I’ll tell my children that I’m dying.”
~Marci
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
Dying will touch all of us.
It is an intimate and inevitable experience for us all…no matter how many people have touched our lives.
And don’t we all want a compassionate, peaceful and gentle death?
Yes, each of us wants to die well!
With that in mind and given the opportunity, we can choose to be with the dying and use tolerance, kindness, warmth, openness, compassion, humor (and more) to help the dying die well…and hope one day the same will be done for us.
We can bear witness to one of the most natural events of living…and in the process think about our own ending.
Activities that any compassionate stranger, caregiver, friend or relative might do for one who is suffering and dying range from sitting in ease and silence for long periods with a dying person, giving a sponge bath or foot rub to alleviate discomfort, to entering the questions around dying that many people are fearful of asking or exploring.
Do you have an experience you’d like to share?
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again
~Anonymous
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp—or what’s a heaven for?”
~Robert Browning
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
You have to admire Canadian Olympic figure skater Joannie Rochette.
Last Sunday her mother, Therese Rochette, died of a heart attack in Vancouver at age 55.
But not being a quitter, Joannie competed (two days later) in the first of two events—the women’s short program—and earned the third best score.
But the free skate competition, which counts for 2/3 of a skater’s total marks, was still to come.
After the short program, and referring to that remaining performance, Dave Baden, Joannie’s IMG agent said, “Her mother is inside her heart and soul, so she’ll be there for her and [Joannie] will draw from that strength.”
Last night after Joannie finished her performance in the free skate segment, she blew a kiss into the air and came to the waiting area where she, in French, covered her heart with her right hand and spoke to her mother.
And when the final marks were announced Joannie realized she had indeed held on to her third-place standing and received the bronze medal.
Speaking of her mother Joannie said, “She was my biggest fan, my best friend. She was with me every step of the way. I don’t know how I ever got through this whole program. I’m sure my mom was there with me.”
What a story!
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
Read an excerpt now
TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James
Have you heard the phrase, “With faith, you don’t need to grieve.”
Having your personal faith does not insulate you from needing to talk out and explore your thoughts and feelings.
To deny your grief is to invite problems to build up inside you.
Express your faith, but express your grief as well.
Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
Read an excerpt now
TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James