When Death Is Near

Hello from beautiful Montana:

If you or a loved one is coping with a terminal illness my love and support go out to you.  This is some of the hardest work in the world-so much to do, people to call, questions to get answered and so little energy  to do it all.

Please go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AuntieArtichoke  for the 15 minute show I did this morning on this subject.  Perhaps it will give you insights and hope.

My advice to you as a Hospice volunteer for gathering Final Gifts, life stories, is to treasure the moments of living while coping with the losses that are ahead.  Live fully as best you can until you are no longer in this plane of existence, but have continued your journey.

This can be a time of great personal growth and satisfaction.  Remember the 5 most important things from my friend Dr. Ira Byock's book Dying Well;

1. Forgive me
2. I forgive you
3. Thank you
4. I love you
5. Goodby

I will be doing an intensive 4 week teleclass on Grieving starting on Thursday November 6.  All sessions will be recorded so you will be able to replay it later should you have to miss that one.

This is designed to get you or your loved ones through the holidays.  We will provide support, love and guidance to strengthen and sustain you.  It will cost you $147.00 and return to you priceless peace and support.

If you are interested, please write to me at Judy@ArtichokePress.com and I will send you the information.

Peace be with you,

Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, family relationship coach and author
www.ArtichokePress.com

Hello from beautiful Montana:

Have you ever heard someone say that in retrospect a tragedy was the best thing that ever happened to them?  You just shake your head and wonder what they are talking about. How can the bad be good?

Get Over Your Grief

For someone who has recently lost a loved one, the future is confusing, frightening and very vague.  They are not sure who they are now that they are no longer the caregiver, wife, daughter or whoever they had labeled themselves through the years.

One never gets over the loss, but they get better at defining who they are and what they are capable of. Many people assume that once a year has past, the pain will have lessened and they will be “all better.”

But sometimes it is the shock of losing someone through death, illness or divorce that forces us to look inside and decide to change the direction of our lives.  Who and what we were will never be the same again. Of course, we grieve about what might have been and recognize the future will be not be one containing the lost loved one..

Get  a Different Perspective

One of the most difficult aspects of long term bereavement  is to know that life will never be the same nor will we.  As time goes on, however, we begin to see the future with new eyes and recognize that we are survivors and can build a new life that maintains the memories of the past and builds on new experiences.

Michael J. Fox writes Lucky Man

I recently picked up a bunch of books at the Thrift Shop to read in the car on a trip.  One surprisingly excellent one was Michael J. Fox’s memoir of finding how Parkinson’s Disease had made a difference in his life.

I quote a paragraph:

    “I am no longer the person described in the first few pages of this chapter, and I am forever grateful for that.  I would never want to go back to that life-a sheltered, narrow existence fueled by fear and made livable by insulation, isolation, and self-indulgence.  it was a life lived in a bubble-but bubbles, being the most fragile constructions, are easily destroyed.  All it takes is a little finger.”

You Are Stronger Than You Think

I have confidence in your ability to endure this grief and to come out on the other end a different but better person  You  have much to share with the world and you will be guided how to present that message to others.

I would like to invite you to check out the  Thursday teleclasses and radio shows  listed on http://www.ArtichokePress.com  They are free and you will feel they have been designed just for you.  And they have been.

Love, Judy H. Wright

PS:  Are you on the social network FaceBook or Twitter?  Please add me as a friend.