Book Description:
Stories of American prowess in technology and medicine abound. And while these achievements have extended the lives of patients, they have not always extended the quality of those lives. As the older population in America skyrockets, more and more people who have received a terminal diagnosis, as well as those who love them, must grapple with the devastating decision of how they will forestall–or face–death. In Dying Made Easy(er) by Myra Bennett, we are guided through the diverse phases and considerations of the end of life by an experienced traveler who’s spent many hours “as a guest in the sacred place of the dying.” Bennett, a hospice nurse and certified end of life doula, who has also grappled with death in her personal life, invites us to contemplate dying from many different angles: legal, social, physical, psychological, and spiritual. Her Dying Made Easy(er) is both a handbook of pertinent information and a medley of informed suggestions for us to consider when experiencing or sharing the phenomenon that is the end of life. Bennett believes it is imperative that we–as a community–are aware of how to find help when faced with death and dying. In Dying Made Easy(er)she provides the resources to address this pressing need.
About the Author:
Bennett, who is the co-founder of Compassionate Crossings in Sacramento, has seen it all. She’s witnessed the dying process unfold in beautiful ways, with gifts for all involved, and she’s seen it devolve into a series of anguished mishaps that leave the family praying for an early transition. As there are no opportunities for rehearsals or do-overs, Bennett is committed to helping us better understand dying as the last–but not the least–chapter of life, and to helping us dream what this chapter might look like. In her warm and wise book, we learn how to turn this dream into a personal reality that will meet not only our deep-felt needs and desires but also those of our family and loved ones.
My Thoughts:
Death is imminent yet many of us fear it so deeply. It’s one of those topics that none of us want to think about, deal with, or discuss, but like it or not it’s something that all of us will face one day.
We don’t have to keep our heads in the sand any longer. We don’t have to ignore the truth that awaits each of us. Instead we can plan for the future and help our loved ones and ourselves.
Myra Bennett can help each of us think through these topics and discuss them with the ones we love. She compassionately discusses the journey and acts as a guide holding hands through difficult times.
I would definitely recommend reading this book right now. Find it at your local library or buy it from your local bookseller, but don’t wait until you are facing the end of your life or helping someone you know step through the final phases of his or her life.
This book should be read well in advance. It will help guide you now and hopefully make things so much easy(er) when the time finally arrives. Let Myra guide you through the thoughts, feelings and fears to embrace the end in a kind and loving manner.
Details:
Myra has been a student of death and dying since she experienced the loss of her husband in 2001. The years that would follow saw the loss of many friends and family as well, which gave her life experiences she would later use to care for patients as a hospice nurse at a large national hospice agency. Today Myra is a certified end of life doula at Compassionate Crossings in Sacramento where she not only guides and supports terminally ill persons and their families, she also speaks and educates on all subjects related to death and dying.
Thank you so much for this lovely and thought provoking review!