Call me weird, but I enjoy reading obituaries because I enjoy learning about people. Some obits revel in listing the person’s achievements-education degrees, military service medals, business positions, public and volunteer service recognition;descriptions of exotic travel, unique hobbies, special interests, creative pursuits and talents.
One of my favorite obits was different; simple, yet revealing a wealth of information about a man known simply as Jim (edited slightly for privacy)
“Jim, who died at 90 years old, was born on Valentine’s Day. He grew up on a farm, joined the Army, and went to a state teacher’s college on the GI Bill.
There he met his wife, and they had 2 children and 5 grandchildren. He earned a master’s degree and spent his professional life as a teacher of math, science, and social studies to elementary students. After retirement, he continued working as a tutor.
Jim enjoyed backyard gardening, walking to the library, math problems, weather reports and local high school sports. Jim always put the needs of others before himself.
In lieu of flowers please plant a flower, a tree, or even a vegetable garden. Jim would really like that.”
Despite his obituary’s simplicity, I feel like I knew Jim, he was someone I would have liked, even having as a neighbor. Obits don’t have to be complicated and fancy, and neither does life, if Jim is any proof.
Unfortunately, death can be complicated. For some of us, a life-threatening or terminal health situation forces us to face death and if we’re wise, to prepare ourselves and our family . In other cases, unprepared families are left to deal with it while also grieving.
I have reviewed these two books that help us and our families make dying and death less arduous than it inevitably is. They cover the practical, financial, and social aspects of dying, as well as the medical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Read them before you need them-because we all need them eventually.
Living life, facing death-a review of A Beginner’s Guide to the End
Even as a physician, I was surprised at the claim that only 10% to 20% of us will die without warning. The rest of us will know we have something that will likely take our life. And even if we don’t, we all know we will die eventually, although we tend to think and act…
Keep reading
Dying with Ease- a book review
Dr. Spiess doesn’t suggest that confronted with terminal illness we refuse treatment and give up. He advocates thinking about and planning for the dying process long before we develop an illness that might be fatal.
Keep readingexploring the HEART of health
(This and other posts on this blog contain affiliate links that may pay a small commission to this blog, while you pay nothing extra, but only if you click, look, and make a purchase. Quite a deal for us both. )
Thanks,
Dr. Aletha
Brightside Offers 4 Live Video Therapy Sessions per Month – Try Today!
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 
This is really interesting. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
Visiting today from Friendship Friday #68
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Paula
Get Outlook for iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef ________________________________
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry for your loss; yes it does make obituaries more personal, doesn’t it?
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this on Traffic Jam Weekend. It has been chosen as a fave feature for this week’s link party that goes live on Thursday at 5:00 pm CST.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. I appreciate the chance to share at the party and honored this post is featured, as it’s a vital topic we all need to consider.
LikeLike