While We're Still Here

We all go through tough times and sometimes situations seem insurmountable. Loving one another in a way they feel loved can be such a beautiful gift. If you can receive love in this way as well, that really tough situation may just seem a little less daunting. Taking advantage of the moment of sunshine, a warm smile, or something that makes us laugh can set aside the worries and heaviness - even f...

We sure had a great time together for my last interview of 2023. These women are charming, smart, thoughtful, and just a treat to have on the show. I hope you enjoy the final question of the interview. Lots more in store for 2024. Stay tuned. Podcast mentioned: Terrible, Thanks for Asking  -  https://ttfa.org End of LIfe Deck - https://thedeathdeck.com https://tumbleweird.org Send a text Listen an...

I met these two women, Sarah and Shanel, over the summer at a Death Café. While we both host/ed Death Café, their vibe is different than when I hosted. It reminds me that each person has a unique perspective to share with the world. They bring that vibe into the show, and I know you'll feel it as we talk together. Bonus: To keep this episode from being too long, I saved a little nugget from t...

I'm angry and now I feel guilty for that, because you're gone--forever. Is it wrong for me to be angry? https://bookshop.org/p/books/first-wives-club-olivia-goldsmith/8880458?aid=88272&ean=9781416562832&listref=the-book-is-probably-better-than-the-movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116313/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7546362/ Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewe...

Candy Chang was in deep grief, feeling so heavy and alone. She got an idea and now it's a global movement. Check it out. Beforeidieproject.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bra...

Our old family roles can resume when we gather, even though we live our present personal lives differently. Do I want to behave like I did when I was a kid, or teenager, or young adult when I'm with my parents, siblings and cousins? No. Do I want to behave as the adult I am today? Yes! I'd like to say I showed up as the adult, but I often reverted to the younger role without realizing it...

I once again am rearranging my recording space/office/guest room in anticipation of a visit from my son. In doing this I came across a special memento I had set aside a few months back to share with you all. Since it popped out at me again I figured now would be good a time to share it.  Dave was a high school friend. I attended my first rock concert with him and our group of friends. We had good...

I haven't done this well in my younger years, but I strive to improve as I age. I will be the elderly family member one day, sitting in a corner, not engaging with the others. I don't want to become resentful and cranky. I want my family to know that I still have value. How can I begin the shift? Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilew...

I'll explain this movement to help family caregivers and be the 'eyes and ears' for Hospice. I have tremendous respect for Hospice. They helped me and taught my family and me so much when our parents were dying. I presently am a Hospice volunteer. What Hospice nurses do day in and day out, all through the night, and so much more brings peace and some comfort to the family members do...

I wouldn't call myself a hypocrite if you asked me, but something happened today to make me realize, I just might be a hypocrite. I bring you this episode, unplanned, based on events of the morning.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was...

When you get that melancholy feeling, grief you can't shake, or wrapped in fond memories, wishing you could express everything you're feeling in that moment? What if you could make a call, into the wind, your message of love and sadness being carried off to your loved one? Listen in to learn about windphone. https:/www.mywindphone.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewer...

When we are working on a project with many players or tasks, we "close the loop", or 'tie up loose ends". We don't want any part undone or people left uninformed. But if we were to die in the middle of a project, what then? If you're a crafter you likely are juggling many projects at once. What if you become ill or disabled and can't finish? What if you die? What...

Any minute, we could be dead. Someone we love could be gone. We do not know get to know the time of our death. Dr. Ira Byock wrote "The Four Things That Matter Most: A Book About Living". He found through his years as an emergency physician and Hospice physician that the dying often turn inwards, become softer, and retrace the footsteps of their lives and relationships. To affirm connect...

Want more Melissa? Isn't she a great thinker and conversationalist? I couldn't imagine keeping this piece of her from you all. What surprises her and brings her joy? It's the small things. Listen in as we wrap our conversation.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting...

Boy, oh boy, are you in for a double treat! Melissa is someone I met almost 8 years ago. She moved away for a few years and, independent of one another, we suffered loss and went through sadness. We also grew in our faith and wisdom through wrestling with God, practicing forgiveness, experiencing grief, and so much more. Melissa explains her peace through trials because of her faith. We talked so...

I read a social media post awhile back about Grief Groceries. It's not about the food, really, as much as it is about how to show up for those who are gripped with the pain and sorrow of grief. So, what does showing up look like? Take a listen.  https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/reviews-commentary/book-review-home-made-grief-groceries-showing-up/  Send a text Listen and read my bl...

When physicians diagnose an illness or disease, they use tests, examinations, and check blood markers, etc., to predict the outcome for a patient. Doctors can also predict when a person is likely to die. What??? How is that possible? Are they accurate? Take a listen. You may find yourself living a different tomorrow. Resources from this episode: VO2 max, or maximal oxygen consumption, refers to th...

I was considering this difference between happiness, which is temporal, and joy, which is  a state of mind that can be present even in dark times. How are they different? How would one be able to tell the difference?  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episo...

When we are with someone who is suffering from grief we often feel the need to fill every second we're together with words. But what about silence? That can be a balm, much more than talking. We can't "fix" their loss. We can't necessarily cheer up a grieving person. Each stage of our life and our experiences as well as individuality  determines how we process emotions. So...

Destinations can be great. Getting there can be great. When the destination is death, we can sometimes choose the journey. The way we process our emotions can lead to a more peaceful journey to our end of life. To leave nothing unsaid, to let those you love know how much you love them.  What is your most precious possession? Dr. Ira Byock has some insights regarding this and the journey to death a...

Whitney is a Grief Recovery Specialist who uses the Grief Recovery Method to help people move through grief for themselves as well as be better listeners to those sharing their grief. Whitney herself described wanting to ‘love better’ as a result of participating in the program, then went on to become a Specialist. Whitney mentioned the program can teach how to process emotions. We talk about how...

When you have lost someone you care about, it's natural to feel sad, lonely, long for their presence, etc. This is a normal part of grief. When your sadness affects your daily life, your work, or the way you interact with others, for a prolonged period, it may be time to check in with yourself to see if your grief has reached a point of needing to get some help or support. If you or someone y...

This episode is about loss and grief. I share some of my losses that I had not considered until venturing into 'what is grief'.  Some unexpected items came up for me. So now what? I have some work to do.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode...

Grief is described as deep sorrow. As a human, living on Planet Earth, I would say grief cannot be avoided.  Grief comes from loss. We all will suffer loss at some point in our life.  End of life planning is not intended to avoid grief; rather, making and discussing your end of life plan helps you to live your life more fully. This happens because conversation begins, the idea of forgiveness prese...

It's been said that animals communicate to us. You've likely had experiences of this communication yourself. When we talk about The Good Death, however, would we think of our pets?  As my husband and I made our way through an animal farm, he asked whether the farm actually could be a refuge. Then I wondered whether the animals were rescued from predators or poachers, which then led to th...