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Dying Woman Paddles Until Death
Michele Baldwin, at 45 and a mother of three, has come up with a unique way to spend what may be her final days. “I”m going out with a bang.” Baldwin discovered early in the summer that she had cervical cancer, a form of cancer that claims 250,000 lives each year. She recently learned that,…
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“1” by Gabriello Chiabrera
William Wordsworth’s beautiful translation conveys a bold messageFor this week’s selection, I’ve chosen something slightly different from previous weeks: that is, a famous poet’s translation of another famous poet’s work. The poem in question is William Wordsworth’s translation of an epitaph by Gabriello Chiabrera. The poem has no title other than “1,” as it is the first in a series of nine…
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Pedro Dias Family Tomb
The contemporary architect re-thinks the funeral and memorial experienceThis is the second in our look at how designers are re-thinking the funeral home. Pedro Dias’ Family Tomb This astonishing tomb sits oddly yet comfortably between the two more traditional structures at its sides. Architect Pedro Dias designed this family tomb, located in the Portuguese Acor Mountains, with a focus to openness, both physically…
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What is Commonweal? (Interview)
Susan Braun’s extensive background in the healthcare and non-profit fields have made her a great addition to the Commonweal team as they increasingly contribute to the end-of-life conversation. Susan, now Commonweal’s Executive Director, has led The American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer Foundation, the CURE Media Group, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, as well…
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The Ongoing Aid-in-Dying Debate
A Panel of Experts In Hawaii Have Concluded that Physician-Assisted Dying is LegalHawaii may be on its way to becoming the fourth state that legalizes physician-assisted dying. A ten-person panel of experts on Hawaii law, medicine, elder care, legislation, and end-of-life issues convened in Honolulu, in a conference aptly titled, Is Physician-Assisted Dying Already Legal in Hawaii? The conference was hosted by Rep. Blake Oshiro and sponsored…
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Will Man’s Best Friend Mourn His Loss?
The phenomenon of loyal dogs grieving after the death of their owners.Earlier this year, we examined the phenomenon of grief in animals and discovered that most experts agree that many types of wild animals seem to experience grief at the loss of companions, mates, or offspring. But, what about pets? Do our domesticated animals mourn the loss of their human companions? Regular reports would suggest that,…
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“Five”
A film anthology of interconnected stories that explores illness, loss, and the emotional realities surrounding life-threatening illness and careLast night marked the premiere of Lifetime’s made-for-TV film “Five,” which showcased the directing talents of five famous women: actresses Demi Moore and Jennifer Aniston, singer Alicia Keys, and directors Penelope Spheeris and Patty Jenkins. Each of the five mini-films comprising “Five” spotlighted a different female character, struggling with breast cancer in their own way.…
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Yosemite Camp 4, Ground Zero and Metaphors of the Dying Process
A Photo Essay of my Recent Vacation TravelsMy vacation begins with an early morning stealth slide-in to Camp 4 located in Yosemite National Park. Camp 4 is the renowned location where rock climbers have camped in proximity to El Capitan since the mid 40’s and is now on the National Resister of Historic Places. Camp 4 is a place where the breathtaking…
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“Song of Myself”
Walt Whitman sees the good fortune in dyingI fell in love with the poems of Walt Whitman in high school, and to this day I still have my worn-out copy of his poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, peppered with bookmarks of my favorite pieces. One of these is “Song of Myself,” a long poem that is divided into 52 sections. Not all…
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