MY END OF LIFE PLANNING GUIDE

Several years ago I attended a conference at which Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross lectured about her book on "Death and Dying." A participant asked how she could talk with a child about anything as horrible as death. Dr. Kubler-Ross responded, "With that attitude you don't!" While death is a reality for all of us, many people have difficulty talking about or planning for it.

From my years of pastoral care ministry I know how important it is for individuals to do life end planning. Many times I have stood beside a grave with a spouse and heard them say, "My spouse was a wonderful husband/wife but (s)he would never talk about death." They were left with the responsibility of making final arrangements without knowing what their spouse wanted to be done. Several didn't have a clue about their finances, insurance policies, assets and personal property.

With this in mind planning is a helpful gesture of love one can do for one's family. It relieves them of some of the stress of making major decisions concerning what the deceased family member desired.

In the last chapter of my book I explain how Sharon and I did our life end planning. To help others do similar planning I have developed a booklet titled, "My End of Life Planning Guide."

The forms outline essential information for use with the mortuary and for recording other important personal information. If properly completed it will provide survivors with important information needed for making final arrangements and settling your estate.

I suggest that once you have completed the booklet you review it every year to be certain it is kept up to date.

The booklet is not intended as a substitute for financial or legal advice. One should consult with their Financial Counselor or Elder Lawyer concerning these matters.

You may "click" on the link below to review the booklet and may download it free from that site. I hope you will also take time to review other helpful information on my web site.

I hope you will return often to my blog as I add additional poems and articles. I would love to interact with you. You may contact me by clicking here.

May you experience peace and comfort through the presence of our precious abiding Holy Comforter. He will not leave us comfortless.

Hugs, In Christ's and My Love,

Don E. Cunningham Copyright 4-25-2007

THE WALL BETWEEN

The following poem was created as the result of an assignment in our writers' group to interpret the meaning of the attached photo. This great photo was taken by Nathan Hardt (Copyright 2007) Nathan is the grandson of Don and Elaine Hardt. She is the leader of our writers' group. I am indebted to Nathan for providing me with such an inspiring photo to contemplate.

THE WALL BETWEEN

'Tis dark the dungeon of the soul
A friendship broken, once was whole.
The seed of trust was lost somewhere,
Two brothers parted in despair.

The other's loss they could not know.
Nor in Christ's love compassion show.
Now in the dungeon of the soul.
Mistrust by brothers took its toll.

If they could see the other's heart,
They'd breach the wall and never part.
Now back to back, a wall between
Upon the wall their backs they lean.

Their hardened hearts like concrete walls,
Confines them to their inner stalls.
Morbid recluses stand alone,
Faults of the other won't condone.

The concrete cell in which they dwell,
Creates for each an inner hell,
A light shines through from up above,
The symbol of a Father's love.

They suffer not alone you see,
A Father's heart can't let it be
The torment of their souls he knows,
His love for them forever flows.

Against the wall we hear it crash,
The hardened hearts on the floor smash
Flowing flood washes broken parts.
Cleanses the sinning brothers' hearts.

Yes, their walls were rent, crashed apart,
Brother loves brother from the heart.
Their Father's love, brothers restore,
They sing His praise forevermore.

But now another scene I see,
Can that photo be really me?
Who I am is reflected there,
Filled with heartache and so much care.

My past and present stand in pain,
Both seeing clearly inner stain.
I've built a wall between the two,
But still the guilt comes rushing through.

Forget the past just let it go,
But still the memories linger so.
My heart aches for sins of the past,
Why, when forgiven do they last?

Past looks about the darkened cell,
It feels the torment of its hell.
It cannot change the path it chose,
And so it stands with all its woes.

The leathery jacket can't conceal,
A suffering soul that will not heal,
No light comes through the wall I built,
So my past stands in darkened guilt.

In my present cell I can see,
A blood stained floor that beckons me.
My Savior whipped in such a cell,
Felt all the torments of sin's hell.

A light breaks through, I've been redeemed!
It's not as fatal as it seemed.
My soul in broken body dwells,
Yet with triumphant praises swells!

GLORY BE TO OUR GOD WHO HEALS ALL OUR INIQUITIES!


Don E. Cunningham 400 words Copyright April 11, 2007