Creating space to pause, reflect and share experiences with dying and death

Posts Tagged Ottawa PCM

Ottawa PCM

Remembering the lucid, visible moments

Remembering the lucid, visible moments

Made me think of losing parts of my mother to dementia but remembering the lucid, visible, wholesome moments when she was bright and connected with me. Thank you,

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I never told the hardest parts

I never told the hardest parts

Although I tell parts of my family’s story in public, I realized that I never told the hardest parts, the ones I most needed someone to hear. Eventually I was invited by Phil Doyer, author of Conversations on Dying to not censor myself. Writing it all out

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You died with the dignity you wanted

You died with the dignity you wanted

Dear Mom, Days like today bring you close to me. I’m still glad to be your daughter. Love and legacy never dies and in your dying, I again was gifted to witness your strength. You died with the dignity you wanted; clean underwear, your weekly bath, nurses

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There is no right or wrong way to die

There is no right or wrong way to die

After 10 years working to help people in their dying process, I think there is no right was or wrong way to die. All we really have is the love and memories we share. Love is bigger than regret, bigger than fear. Not every sorrow is comforted,

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The care he needed to live at home

The care he needed to live at home

It was a joy to watch John live for the 4 years he had after diagnosis. Helping him organize his travels, the care he needed to live at home was important to all his friends. He talked openly about how he found a way to live with

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You held on for as long as you could

You held on for as long as you could

They said I didn’t need to keep coming to see you as often because you didn’t remember my visits – but they were wrong, you held on for as long as you could for me and in your last moments of life, your smile when I walked

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Be faithful in your love

Be faithful in your love

Oh Heart! Be faithful in your love and passion Indeel, This journey is most rewarding with your Patience… <Haafez>

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Every breath we exhale

Every breath we exhale

Every breath we inhale sustain our life, Every breath we exhale is a joy to our soul. Saadi(1258)

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He is remembered

He is remembered

My father died 2 years ago this month – at home – with a wonderful palliative care doctor. No better way. He is remembered!

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Dementia is such a hard illness

Dementia is such a hard illness

My mom died a year ago after a 7 year journey with dementia. While extremely difficult to watch in real-time, the loss of a woman I admired for her intelligence, joy of life, love of language and devotion to her children, I learned to treasure when she

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