Columns

My 5-year-old daughter is going through that stage of trying to discern the truth about Santa.
Listening to her speculate has become a source of entertainment around our household.
Her logic and reasoning reminds me of, well, myself actually.
It’s all over the place, and depending on what thought pops into her head at any given moment, it can entirely change her mood.
One morning, as we were driving to preschool, she was providing her younger brother with a running commentary on the merits of believing in Santa Claus.

Several years ago I wrote an article called “How to Get the Most out of Living” which I have developed into a talk I give to various groups.
At a recent talk a woman who knows I have been in hospice work for many years said, “You should write an article about how to get the most out of dying.” So here are 10 ways to do so:
Live and let die – This doesn’t mean living without caring about other people. It just means just letting go and let death happen as it inevitably will. Look at death as a natural part of living.

I distinctly remember that moment, 12 years ago, when I plunked my final diaper purchase onto the conveyor belt at Wal-Mart.
My 2-year-old daughter was potty-trained, and I had decided that after she finished one more pack of diapers, I would let her wear undies.
I etched the moment into my mind because I knew it was a milestone in life.
There are many “last times” that go unnoticed when you are parenting, but because she was my last child, I did my best to pay attention and burn those moments into my memory.
Fast forward eight years.

I’m awake before dawn, trying to get this article zipped up and submitted so I can focus on the tasks before me.

I’m thankful for the greeting of a crisp, clear, autumn morning, for this is the day we will bury my grandmother.

I was blessed to have been born with eight living grandparents. Over the years, I have watched as one by one they went on to their eternal reward.