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The Ultimate Trickster God Faces Death
How African folklore dealt with slavery and hardshipBy far the most iconic character in traditional African folktales is Anansi, the trickster spider god. His wit and charm got him out of thousands of seemingly impossible situations, which earned him a place in nearly every story told by the Asante people of Ghana. Eventually, Anansi became the god of stories, and nearly every…
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As Technology Advances
Robots are being developed for the agingRobots have begun to emerge as solutions for the aging population. These robots are providing a wide range of pragmatic aid to the elderly, both in the home and in assisted living facilities. Some serve simply as “pets” to help seniors with depression, while others go a step further and act as a mobility aid.…
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“Mirror of the Sky” by Trevor Hall
Song about separation finds healing through remembranceDespite Trevor Hall’s young age, his song “Mirror of the Sky” reflects an old soul. The contemplative lyrics are a dialogue between Hall and his inner self, in which the songwriter asks, “Mirror of the sky, What is on your mind?…Will we ever meet?” The song reminds us that, when we experience loss, we also…
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As We Change Our View of Death
So goes our language tooYou may not have noticed, but as we move our viewpoint to a more natural way of thinking about death, our language is also following along. I just bought an old school hard copy of the SF Chronicle, and I could not help but notice the heading “Life Tributes” had replaced the old standby “Obituaries.”…
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Monday Hearts for Madalene
Page Hodel creates the most beautiful hearts in an ongoing celebration of loveMy Heart Sparkles with Love for You! It’s an honor for SevenPonds to share with our readers the story of the Monday Hearts for Madalene project, a true account of the power of love in the midst of death. The project’s origins take us to 2005: the moment Page Hodel encountered Madalene Rodriguez and fell “instantly, dizzyingly in love…
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Re-thinking the Funeral Home Design
Spaces that process death — funeral homes, family tombs, crematoria — are traditionally housed within structures that either perpetuate their morbid reputation or attempt to mask their purpose altogether. They are low-lying, dark, heavy buildings with outdated design and architecture. They seem to try to hide and apologize for what their existence stands for. But,…
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Our Weekly Tip: Set Up A Memorial Fund to Honor Your Loved One
Charitable foundations create a lasting legacy for those who have diedOur Tip of the Week: For many people who have lost a loved one, finding a way to connect the person who has died to the future in some way is an integral part of processing grief. By keeping the person’s memory alive, they create a lasting connection that helps to bridge the divide between…
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“Lessons For the Living“
A documentary featuring interviews with hospice volunteersLessons for the Living is a 2010 documentary directed by Lily Henderson that features a series of interviews with hospice volunteers as they reflect on their experiences in caring for dying people. The volunteers come from varied walks of life, ranging from a college student to a retired rabbi to a woman who is both a hospice…
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