The time is now

We do everything possible to avoid contemplating our mortality, illness, and inevitable decline. In my work, personal life, and current career, I do not have that luxury. When I began my career, my maternal grandmother once asked why I chose such a challenging path as a massage and lymphatic therapist. All I knew was that the profession chose me. From those early days over four decades ago to today, I have had the privilege of understanding the importance of a thoughtful approach to the end of our lives. My greatest hope and joy is to assist you in your preparedness, because illness and death are indifferent to our life plans, beliefs, political views, or economic status.

Decay and death are facts for all living organisms, including us humans. We can learn from nature's cycle that we, too, will eventually leave this earth. The early Stoics taught us to remember our mortality constantly, memento mori, so we learn to live fully and in the present moment. Why is it so important to be prepared for your death? Allow me to share from my experience.

I have spent time with numerous patients and their families who were overwhelmed by legal paperwork, financial concerns, and emotional strain when an illness unexpectedly progressed to a terminal stage. Trust me, when you are in the hospital and feeling extremely unwell, all your energy is focused on survival. Organized thinking, handling paperwork, or even trying to think clearly becomes the last thing on your mind.

Now is the time to review your plans for a thoughtful end-of-life while you are still strong and have the opportunity to address all the necessary details. You might not realize how many factors contribute to a peaceful dying. I witness it daily. Families who are prepared can focus their hearts and minds on spending time with their loved ones. Others face stress as they need to involve a notary or lawyer for last-minute paperwork. It is not always the paperwork that complicates a death; disrupted relationships or estranged adult children or parents can also hinder a peaceful passing.

We invite you to discuss your end-of-life plans with us, so we can support your thoughtful approach to a peaceful conclusion of your life.

Thank you for reading this message, and please take good care of yourself and each other.

Sylvia Klauser