

A Return to Nature
"On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it." Jules Renard It was a beautiful summer day, with a warm breeze blowing through...


being with dying
In a society where we are so separated from death in daily life, with most people either dying in the hospital or in a nursing facility,...


Death as a Hacker
This post has eluded me for weeks, mostly because of the raw intensity and discomfort of the experience. I now realize I might never mold...

Death Cafe in Gambier: Discussing Death on the campus of Kenyon College
Where would you think most college students would be at 10:30 on a wintry Saturday morning in mid-February? It’s highly unlikely that you...


Facing Death Reflections
The documentary last evening, Facing Death, provided the impetus for viewers' profound discussion about end-of-life challenges and...

The Beauty of Death in Nature
This past Friday evening's documentary on green burials (A Will for the Woods) was received by viewers with such comments as "How...


A Will for the Woods
Green burials are finding their way into mainstream talk. This movement continues to build momentum. I am excited to share "A Will for...


Being There
The other night I have a talk to a group of people who are volunteer workers for the American Cancer Society. As I looked around the...


Go Out and Enjoy Your Life
An attractive, healthy-appearing young woman came to my office the other day. "I've had a big operation, radiation therapy, and a year's...


Live the Moment
As a cancer specialist, I work daily with people in life-threatening situations, and I commonly share experiences with patients who are...