On Bright Wings

"I don't want to be a Pollyanna. I don't want to be misconstrued as saying that all dying is peaceful and gorgeous and everybody is reconciled. It isn't. It's usually okay. Sometimes it's really, really smooth and sometimes it's horrible But if that's, you know, maybe a dozen out of maybe 12,000, that's a very, very, tiny number. We mustn't pretend that it's always okay. But we also must be reassured that it is usually okay." https://www.cbc.ca//it-s-not-what-you-see-in-the-movies-do

Seen on Reddit (pretty cool, huh?): In the Netherlands, if you die and have no next of kin, friends or family to attend your funeral, they will send a poet who shall read a custom poem for you at your funeral so that you won’t be alone that day. It was started by poet and artist F Staril and is named "The Lonely Funeral" project.Seen on Reddit (pretty cool, huh?): In the Netherlands, if you die and have no next of kin, friends or family to attend your funeral, they will send a poet who shall read a custom poem for you at your funeral so that you won’t be alone that day. It was started by poet and artist F Staril and is named "The Lonely Funeral" project.

It’s a good first step, but it’s still not enough. What is the answer? Isolation is deadly. https://www.washingtonpost.com//973124c6-4187-11eb-b58b-16

Artful aging includes embracing your years of experience and wisdom as valuable and important jewels that benefit all of us: "In sum, rather than feeling that there is something embarrassing about aging and that any recognition of it can be motivated by pity, Miss Manners hopes that the older generation will develop some self-respect." https://www.nextavenue.org/miss-manners-blames-boomers-fo/

Art by Jacqueline Chwast from I Like You by Sandol Stoddard a vintage serenade to friendship.

Grief is a force of energy that cannot be controlled or predicted. It comes and goes on its own schedule. Grief does not obey your plans, or your wishes. Grief will do whatever it wants to you, whenever it wants to. In that regard, Grief has a lot in common with Love. Elizabeth Gilbert

Healthy children will not fear life if their parents have the integrity not to fear death. Erik EriksonHealthy children will not fear life if their parents have the integrity not to fear death. Erik Erikson

Blessings of the holiday season to all, with love from On Bright Wings.

Today is El Dia de Los Muertos. Celebrate your Ancestors! http://theamateursguide.com/day-of-the-dead-how-ancient-tr/

I love this so much.

May you know that absence is alive with hidden presence, that nothing is ever lost or forgotten. May the absences in your life grow full of eternal echo. May you sense around you the secret Elsewhere where the presences that have left you dwell. ... JOHN O'DONOHUE Except from the blessing, 'For Absence,' found in his books: Benedictus (Europe) / To Bless the Space Between Us (US) Ruined Cottage / Co Clare, Ireland Photo: Ann Cahill

Santa Muerte: I was introduced to this beauty in Glastonbury UK, of all places. Although she has been embraced by the unsavory underworld, her message of "Holy Death" is the promise of peace amidst the sacredness of our last great rite of passage. https://www.nbcnews.com//growing-devotion-santa-muerte-u-s

Remember that Halloween is a holiday (holy day) that arose from death, and how ancient cultures came to terms with this great mystery. It is the time of year when we all rub elbows with that which will be our fate, when it is our time. http://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/the-death-positive-roots

Seen on my sister’s coffee cup (die well):

I am currently caring for my father, who is on hospice. His food and drink intake is minimal. This article helped to ease my concerns, and might help you if your loved one is beginning their transition. Here is an important takeaway that gave me comfort: "Starvation in the prime of life is different that at end of life. At end of life your body actually has processes that enables people to feel less pain. Did you catch that? Starvation in the dying process does not cause suffering, it can actually alleviate it. And isn’t that what we want for someone as they leave this world? To have as little pain and suffering as possible?!" https://www.thegeriatricdietitian.com/embracing-hospice-en/

On Bright Wings offers workshops focusing on creative ways to lessen death anxiety. PM me to find out more! Live fully, die well. http://theamateursguide.com/is-fear-of-dying-taking-over-y/

All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you.... The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change. --Octavia E. Butler Live fully. Photo by Kevin Eckert-Smith

"The circle of life...". Yes, it’s a song. But it’s also a philosophy that includes life AND death: the natural order of things. What I have noticed in my own experience, is that after every death there comes a birth. Or two. We make room for new life. It is death that makes that space. https://theamateursguide.com/death-is-not-an-emergency-ho/

You should die too. It’s a glorious morning after death! Takiko Mizunoe https://blog.sevenponds.com//living-funerals-or-seizenso-a