I just finished four days of training with Tidewell here in Sarasota as a Hospice volunteer. What awesome work they do and I’m delighted to be taking part in it even for a small bit.
I couldn’t help reflecting during all the training on how important it is to be able to look at end of life issues long before they are immanent. For example, one of the ‘creative arts’ projects they do is to create a legacy booklet to leave with their families. In it, they answer questions such as what were your favorite memories, things you liked to do, etc. On the front cover, they trace their hand and in each finger write what these hands have done. Why wait until the end to do work like this? It could be a fun project to do with the whole family.
Do you have a scrapbook of memories? There are so many wonderful scrapbooking stores and techniques these days that could make this also a fun and meaningful project – perhaps one to do with your family. Years ago, I created a scrapbook that contained ONE page for every year of my life. In it, I put pictures (where I had them available) as well as a list of the people and events that were important during that year. Of course, I couldn’t remember all of it – so it became a fun exercise to do with my family and especially with my parents (while they both could remember). It sparked lots of conversations with my young nephews and over the years we’ve continued to share the things we discovered we have in common.
Life Review is not just an end of life phenomena. It is something worth doing in midlife and beyond. Do it for yourself as well as for your loved ones.
