Interview with Linda Watson, author of “Facing Death” on Oct. 1st, 9AM pacific

Linda Watson, author of “Facing Death” on Oct. 1st, 9AM pacific. Call in to listen live at (347) 945-5152 or listen online at blogtalkradio.com/kindethics

Linda Watson, M.R.E., M.Div., Th.M. the author of a beautiful and profound book to help facilitate end of life conversations called, Facing Death, A Companion In Words And Images.

As a former pastoral and supportive care professional, Linda Watson found herself drawn, again and again, to work with the dying and the bereaved. With degrees from the University of Calgary, McMaster University in Hamilton, ON, and the University of Toronto, Linda worked in parish ministry and later as the Peer Support and Supportive Care Coordinator of a breast cancer resource centre in Winnipeg, MB. Where others sometimes kept their distance, Linda moved in close and became a trusted companion of the dying and their loved ones on many occasions. She learned at least some of the questions to ask, some of the silences to leave hanging, and some of the words to offer when it was time. Her counseling and theological training, plus the experiences life provided her, combined to assist her in being a positive presence at bedsides and elsewhere with those facing death.

It was an event in her personal life, however, that moved her to put some of the wisdom she had gained in the context of these experiences down on paper. Her sister, who had been battling cancer for a few years, was suddenly given 6 weeks to live and Linda was too far distant to be there in the ways she desired. Writing down kernels of wisdom and quotations she knew would be helpful to her sister led eventually to the compilation in this volume, one that has been tested now by others and evaluated favorably by other professionals in the field of end of life care.

The challenge of preparing for one’s own death is enormous. Facing Death: A Companion in Words and Images book by Linda Watson It is difficult to overcome one’s own reluctance to talk about death and dying — let alone the fear of family and friends — and yet it helps the process for the words to be shaped. In addition, in the final stages of life, the endurance for study is limited but the need for meaningful content is very great.

The morsels of wisdom and comfort in Facing Death, along with the beautiful, accompanying nature photographs, address these needs. Throughout, this book allows readers to make their own sense of what is presented, to access what is offered in their own fashion, to identify particular items for frequent re-visiting, to personalize and customize, if and as they wish.

Facing Death understands death to be, though unwanted in most cases, an inevitable and normal part of life. The book presents death in this way but draws attention to the process of life, in all its heartache and glory.

www.authorlindawatson.com
http://www.healthpropress.com/store/watson-29487/bio.htm

Have a kind and respectful day.