Stories of Kindness from Around the World

This week I went to a memorial service for a friend who died of lung cancer.  My friend had lung cancer for a year and a half.  It is not a fun way to leave the earth. 

When Maggie found out she had cancer she was very open and wanted to let her family and friends know what was happening.  There was an outpouring of cards and calls and visits. 

Maggie had a great spirit and was someone who loved to learn.  She loved The Catholic church, she loved the Buddhist philosophy and the the native view of life. She loved them all.  She took part in  circles and wanted everyone to be friends.  Not alway easy. 

Because she needed help and asked for help (how hard that was for her) her friends came together around her.  We cleaned her house, cooked, did what needed to be done and we laughed and got to know her better and we got to know each other.  Even when she had to go into a home for hospice, friends continued to visit. Her family rallied around her and because Maggie was such a free spirit, time with her was always fun and profound!  Painful of course, but good nevertheless. 

People have a tendency not to talk about their sickness or death or to ask for help.  On the other side, people seem afraid of death and avoid their friends at this stage in their life. They disappear.   Death is a part of life and dying well is really living out the end of your life well.  We were blessed to have Maggie allow us to learn about dying and dying well ... truly a beautiful gift.