An epic poem inspired by Escparil’s 2024 prompts. One would think that a child with an imagination as strong as the one that Aviana has that she would be dreaming every night; One would think that a child with an imagination as strong as Aviana’s paired with how much she is sleeping every single day that she would wake with stories on top of stories about the made up worlds from her dreams; One would think, wouldn’t they? Aviana doesn’t always dream when she’s sleeping, not anymore, but she doesn’t mind, usually, because dreaming feels exhausting; Though, she does have one dream that comes of ..read more

An epic poem inspired by Escapril’s 2024 prompts. When they started asking the kids if they would prefer a cat or a dog, Aviana did not hesitate to say ‘cat,’ there simply was too much going on to have pets to care for; Aviana always wanted a cat, and she draws pictures of her perfect cat every day after the hospital staff asks; It did not take much to learn that they would be bringing shelter animals to visit the children for a therapeutic group session – Aviana could hardly wait! Picture after picture depicts calicos, tabbies, and cats with huge blue eyes every time, Aviana knew that not al ..read more

When Breath Becomes Air by Dr. Paul Kalanithi “When Breath Becomes Air” is an intensely moving and deeply introspective memoir penned by Dr. Paul Kalanithi. It narrates the journey of his life, marked by a profound love for literature, a relentless pursuit of a career in neurosurgery, and his valiant struggle with terminal lung cancer diagnosed at the young age of 36. Raised in a nurturing environment, Kalanithi’s early fascination with literature shaped his understanding of human life as inherently storied. He believed, as he noted, “Human knowledge consists of stories…” This love for narrati ..read more

Through my own good/hard story, and the suffering I have walked with family and friends, there have been some important nuggets I have learned along the way that I have tucked away in my heart to help me be a better friend/sister/daughter when I am with others who are really going through it. For a long time I have mulled over sharing these, even entertaining publishing a booklet something along the lines of “How to Help Someone You Love Through Grief.” Because truly, there are many things that unless you have walked through it you simply just don’t know, and that’s not always your fault. I de ..read more

Survivor’s guilt is a significant emotional experience that arises when individuals grapple with the weight of surviving a traumatic event while others did not. It’s a complex journey filled with many emotions, often from feelings of unworthiness and a deep sense of injustice. Those who experience survivor’s guilt may find themselves questioning their actions, wondering if they could have done more to prevent the loss of life. At its core, survivor’s guilt is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the depth of empathy and compassion individuals hold. Survivor’s guilt arises organically in ..read more

Life’s Blueprint by Tramaine Francis Luster is an indispensable resource that empowers readers to take control of their end-of-life planning with confidence and clarity. This meticulously crafted book offers a step-by-step approach to organizing important documents, making crucial decisions, and ensuring your wishes are known and respected. This beautiful fill-in-the-blank book covers every aspect of life and death. Where some end-of-life planning books stop at simply asking the questions, this book offers expert guidance for everything from wills to healthcare directives to funeral arrangeme ..read more

The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job. Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job will be different. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time. Because the one thing she’s worked her entire life to keep clean, the… Read m ..read more

Meet Angela Shook, a compassionate and dedicated pet death doula who has made it her mission to support pet owners through the most difficult time of their lives – saying goodbye to their beloved pets and service animals. With a deep understanding of the human-animal bond and the grieving process, Angela provides a unique and essential service, helping pet owners navigate the emotional and practical aspects of pet loss. From creating personalized farewell rituals to offering emotional support and guidance, Angela is a beacon of hope and comfort for those facing the heartbreak of pet loss. In t ..read more

The topic of death and dying has been close to my heart for as long as I can remember, not from a macabre or fantastical perspective but from a profoundly humbled standpoint. I’ve always found myself captivated by the resilience of the human spirit, especially in the face of losing a loved one, life’s greatest challenge. Witnessing the strength of individuals during their final moments and the courage it takes to navigate that transition leaves me in awe. I consider it an honor to be afforded a glimpse into such a sacred space. My interest in death and dying didn’t arise out of nowhere—it’s be ..read more

Life in Ujjain was “happening”. Too many people visiting, festivals, gatherings, weddings and special occasions. I was breathing better in the October air since there’s much less humidity in Ujjain, but I was also unable to shower without oxygen. Climbing stairs and walking around the house were taxing. I couldn’t sleep one afternoon and kept thinking about all the people that died after transplants and wondered about my own survival rate. Maala, the Bangladeshi girl from one of my previous blogs had saturation levels as low as 35%. She had a stroke while she was enrolled in a medical college ..read more