Living Life Fully

"The dominant culture of North America is not being killed by global warming or too few whales or anything like that.  It just doesn't know how to live, how to take up the task of loving life, even how to grieve its own grievous history." Stephen Jenkinson

Pretty strong words, but Jenkinson is talking about living life fully, which means facing death.  He tells about talking to a couple young men, and he challenges them what they will do when their mother dies.  Will they hide out in some activity, or will they reject despair and truancy and be a faithful witness to her dying.  He, of course, calls them to witness her dying.  As caregivers, we are witnessing someone's dying.  What do we want that to look like?  I want to be gracious and present.  I want to honor his life - - - and his death.  How do you witness the dying of your loved one?