This blog was conceived of and designed to get you thinking about the various aspects of getting your final wishes in order, regardless of how close you are to the end of life.  Over the years of working with terminally ill patients and their loved ones, in addition to my own journey of health and well-being, one thing has become abundantly clear~ talking about death and dying continues to be hard.  I mean, even after all of these years of people dying, many still find that talking about death and dying openly is a significant challenge.  And, for that reason, many avoid it until they are faced with some kind of tragedy.

Yet, the truth of the matter is, “we’re all gonna die someday” as my dear, dear friend used to remind me as I complained and berated myself over some decadence I was about to indulge.

And, yet, if faced with a stroke (like my colleague at 40-something) or a sudden accident (like the 60-something year old man who literally tripped over his own feet while playing tennis, altering his brain and life permanently,) or getting word of a stage IV cancer diagnosis (like my friend who was newly dating at the time), or if suicide seems like an option to be free of the suffering from chronic physical (or emotional) pain…. would you be ready and have you discussed your final wishes with anyone? what does it mean to be ready?

As women, there is a societal need to take care of everyone before ourselves, and we expect that our reward for all of this caregiving is that we ourselves will be taken care of.  However, if you have a sudden accident or develop a illness where you are soon unable to communicate your wishes, can you confidently say that those who care about you know enough about the details of your preferences to be able to carry out those wishes easily? Are you confident that they have the resources to do so even if they or another significant family member disagrees with your choices?

If you have any doubts, have changed your mind about some elements, or have had significant life changes that make your previous decisions irrelevant, my hope is that you find some answers in the pages of this blog.

In the next few months, there will be a book published that goes into more depth than I can here. In addition, I am available to speak to groups, for live or recorded interviews, and to facilitate workshops on what people, women in particular, can do to get clear on their final wishes.  I also offer private consulting and coaching to take you through the work.

In the meantime, I ask you to consider~ what will it feel like for you to be ready?