Tag: death

Changing How You Think About Life and Death

In this post I explain the days following Halloween that remember saints and other deceased perso. This can be a chance to reflect on and prepare for our own mortality.

Updated November 10, 2025-Originally titled November’s Timely Topic

We observe Halloween as its own holiday, but it is also the “eve” of another observance.

Also known as All Hallows’ Eve, it introduces the onset of Christian religious observances remembering deceased persons.

  • All Saints Day is a Christian holiday honoring Saints who have passed on to the afterlife usually observed on November 1st.
  • All Souls’ Day, in Roman Catholicism, a day for the commemoration of all the faithful departed, usually on November 2.
  • Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death. While the holiday originated in Mexico, it is celebrated all over Latin America with colorful calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons), also on November 1 and 2.

Whether you observe any of these, death is a topic that has or will touch all of us and our families. I have written these blog posts that help make that life transition smoother.

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 reading

For personal reflection

Who do you know who is facing death soon? What are you learning from observing their experience?

How are you preparing for your own death, whether imminent or unknown? How does considering this affect the way you are living now?

Exploring the HEART of health, life, and death

I hope you don’t need to read any of these books now, but the reality is many of you do, or will eventually. People I know who have faced death with peace and confidence fare much better, as do their families. Be knowledgeable and prepared for your sake and for theirs.

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stethoscope with a heart

Dr. Aletha

Celebrating Life after Cancer

Celebration of Life Mural-The mural was created to honor those surviving the disease of cancer. The mural’s tiles are inscribed by cancer survivors and represent the continuous flow of life.

I went with my husband to a routine medical appointment and instead of sitting in the waiting room I wondered around outside. I came across this lovely garden area and was immediately intrigued by the decorated wall.

I was curious and decided to take a closer look; and of course, take some photos to share with you. I think the display speaks for itself, so browse and enjoy.

Celebration of Life Mural

June 1995-June 1997

The mural was created to honor those surviving the disease of cancer.
The mural’s tiles are inscribed by cancer survivors and represent the continuous flow of life.
Celebration of Life Mural
a wall decorated with inscribed bricks and a metal floral sculpture

Why a butterfly on a thistle?

Invasive thistles are noxious to livestock or other plants, but native species are harmless and even helpful to the environment.

Blooms on thistles attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Thistles host hungry caterpillars of painted lady butterflies, provide seeds as food for sparrows and finches, and attract insects that other animals feed on.

Native thistles are a largely misunderstood and wrongly maligned group of wildflowers. Many species of bees, butterflies and other wildlife rely heavily on native thistle flowers… monarch butterflies visit native thistle flowers more than any other wildflowers in some regions during their migration back to Mexico.

Despite the significance of native thistles to our ecosystems, these plants are often targeted for eradication along with the more widely recognized invasive thistles. Many native thistles are now threatened with some species at risk of extinction.

Xerces.org

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
“Expect a miracle”
“Love isn’t Love until you give it away.”

Celebration of Life

The butterfly and thistle sculpture is made possible through the generosity of the “Just Say Ho” Clown Alley.

Photographed by Dr. Aletha at the Troy and Dollie Smith Cancer Center, Integris Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

“God is Good.”
“We don’t choose how we die but we do choose how we live.”

exploring the HEART of health through art

I’m honored you joined me to celebrate these cancer survivors’ lives and thankful for their willingness to share their journey with us.

Take time to enjoy the sunshine and don’t forget to smile.

Butterflies symbolize a deep and powerful representation of life. They are beautiful and have mystery, symbolism, and meaning and are a metaphor representing spiritual rebirth, transformation, change, hope, and life.

The magnificent yet short life of butterflies represents the process of spiritual transformation and serves to remind us that life is short.

Gardens with Wings

Book recommendation

If you or someone you know is facing a cancer diagnosis, this book may help. Here is my review.

After You Hear It’s Cancer-a book review

“After You Hear It’s Cancer” by Dr. Lori Leifer and John Leifer offers a comprehensive guide for navigating cancer diagnosis and treatment. Drawing on personal experiences, the authors provide practical advice on various stages of cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment challenges, along with resources for support and advocacy.

Keep reading

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Dr. Aletha

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