Tonight a friend and co-worker of mine just found out she has advanced stage cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is supposedly one of the most treatable cancers if found early. Recently, I’ve come across too many people who let their fear of death hold them back from addressing health concerns. This is a reminder of how …
Facing death is a practical thing. Imagine if birth was as a ‘taboo’ topic as death is. Mothers would be hiding the fact that they’re pregnant and going to give birth. No one could celebrate the child coming. No one would prepare or think about, “Okay, what are we going to need to have before …
The Shock of a Cancer Diagnosis The recent news of Catherine, the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis has certainly caused shock for many. Each year, in New Zealand alone, over 25,000 people were diagnosed with cancer. As of 2022, in the United States, 1,918,030 new cancer cases were found. Of those people in the US, …
A Time of Reflection When I was younger, I heard one of my teachers say, “Death comes when you least expect it.” Being so afraid of death as a child, I obsessed about death, almost hoping that by thinking of it and expecting it, it wouldn’t come just yet. Death is a funny thing. I’ve …
Reality Check We’re all dying. That can be unsettling, yet it’s an undeniable truth that we all share. Recently, a dear friend of mine found out she has terminal stage 4 cancer. A lot of people are shocked when they hear such a diagnosis. Faced with such a diagnosis, many grapple with denial or anger, …
What is All Saints Day? November 1st is All Saints Day, which is a day celebrated in most Catholic countries around the world. Though in some countries, the celebrations can go on for more than a day. For example, in the country I grew up in, All Saints Day was the time everyone would visit …
Gaining Perspective through Death Yesterday, my husband and one of my kids were a little sad because the All Blacks didn’t win the rugby world cup (my other son was wanting South Africa to win, so at least he was happy). One of my friends told me her husband goes into depression for at least …
We’re all Dying! “Oh no! Your Uncle/Auntie/Cousin/Sibling has just gotten diagnosed with cancer.” News we never want to hear. Hearing someone we know or love is dying soon, or has died often throws us off our axis for a few hours or days. We get shocked or shook when someone in our town or suddenly …
A different kind of freedom Facing death brings a different type of freedom. It’s not the type of freedom that makes you do crazy things. It’s a much deeper, more meaningful type of freedom. One that helps you let go of grudges that have weighed you down. This freedom allows you to love and care …
Talking about death is one of the first steps to facing death. Speaking to loved ones about love and death can be especially hard or touchy for most people. Here are some tips on how to start conversations about death. Plan ahead As with any important conversation, it can be really helpful to plan ahead. …