I have had the priveledge and honor of working in hospice nursing for several years now. Sometimes it seems that there just aren't ways to put into words that valuable lessons that those that are so close to leaving this world have to teach us. I listened to the tape version, which I have to say was wonderful.
I feel like Kessler and Ross put into words so much of what is experienced when faced with the ending of this chapter we call life. Death is not ugly, scary, horrible, if you are touched by it, you really can learn from it.
Ross and Kessler in their work with the dying remind us that this time we have here on this planet is not forever. What we say and do everyday to the one's we love, this lovely book reminds us that they may be the last words we say and hear from our dear ones. It is not meant to scare us. life is limited. No one, not one person is immune from death. I see it everyday. It is not scary, but it is a journey in itself and a teacher, to teach us that we want to look back and say I didn't fill my life with anger, I remembered to love because this day can be my last. I remembered to live, and I will tell you that is one of the greatest lessons I have learned from the "dying". Boy do they live. laughter surrounds, hugs are free, words are shared. I don't usually hear stories about how many hours a person worked, or how much money they made, or what clothes they had. They tell me about who they knew, who they loved and love, they show me albums, letters. They talk about their spiritual beliefs. They laugh, they cry. It may sound like I am getting off they subject of the book, but I am not. This IS what the book is about. LIVING now. Remember to Live.
