There are some people out there who are curious enough or concerned enough to call me up and ask a question about something they always wanted to know and preface it, firstly, with an apology and secondly, with the words silly" or stupid."
I have two responses to these inquiries. I smile and I'm grateful.
When it comes to questions regarding end of life traditions, wishes or procedures, there are no questions that are silly" or stupid" and most people in our profession are pleased to answer your questions because we recognize that an individual like you is rare.
The fact that the question is being asked, in particular a question concerning something that many would prefer to ignore, is already a huge step on the road to educating yourself about something inevitable and will, quite frankly, make you feel more empowered in taking control of what it is you want and not simply default to the wishes of those who are left to handle your affairs.
I have always said and still say, whenever appropriate, that if everyone would consider, just once in a while, that their time here on this planet is finite - if they would put at the forefront of their minds that we are mortal and will die - that those lives we are living would become more enriched, more meaningful and would hold a kind of gratefulness that make our days feel lighter.
Some may feel that it can be a useless endeavor to dwell on such things, it is indeed that very thing that informs us as to how we are living our lives and what is most important to us.
So thank you for all of your questions. Big and small. Short or long. Specific or general. I love them all! It's true that information is power. It's also a wellspring of creativity, change and peace of mind.
It is in answer to that spirit of inquiry, that I will be posting information to the questions I've been asked over the many years I've been in service to those in need - and maybe some really interesting stuff that no one needs to know, but is just, well...interesting, about this compassionate care industry. I hope you enjoyed the first post Things Left Unsaid." See you soon.
The Silly" Question
