Living With the End in Mind by Erin Tierney Kramp and Douglas H. Kramp, Three Rivers Press, NY, 1998 ISBN 0-609-80381-6 This is a wonderful little book and one that everyone should definitely own. I really mean that because in the end this is a very useful book. It is practical but at the same time inspirational, and how many times do you get that precious combination? In fact, isn't that the best of combinations? Finding something that has enough utility so that you make time for it and then it gives you something back in return... This book is billed as a practical checklist for living life to the fullest and embracing your mortality. A lot of books have come out since the Schaivo case with all the practical things to do associated with dying and, though well intentioned, I don't know that I would buy any of them because that information is generally available online. But this book is different. The author's intimacy and experience with the details from a first hand viewpoint and her commentary are what really make it tick. Ms. Kramp is a wonderful writer and person. I don't know if she is still alive...in the late '90s she was given 3- 18 months to live, but her spirit certainly shines through in this book. It is spiritual but I don't get the impression that the author was trying to force religion on anyone, and somehow she avoids the new-age quasi-spirituality tone that ruins many a well intentioned text. So...we recommend that you pick up this little book and spend some time with it. If that is too difficult for you to do right now, buy it and put it away to look at later when you are in a less hurried and worried frame of mind. There is much of benefit to be found here. |
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