Publisher's Synopsis
This inspiring memoir chronicles Ms. Longfellow's experience with the deaths of her parents--the quick, traumatic death of her father and the lengthy illness preceding her mother's passing. The trauma of her father's death led her to plan and prepare for her mother's passing, transforming the experience from one of abject loss to a serenity and beauty. Additionally, the author reconciled her thoughts and feelings about her own mortality. She writes of learning to take part in, be present and be transformed by the end-of-life experience. In her journey, she discovered routine moments in her parents' last days presented opportunities to create personal rituals and ceremonies to honor the final stage of life. She came to understand that what matters most is how we say goodbye to our loved ones. The author writes, "I have said my final goodbyes to my parents so many times that I now realize there will be no final goodbye. With each page of I Could Never Say Goodbye, I say "hello" and "goodbye" to my parents one more time. I share my experiences in an open, meaningful and caring manner, so readers will come away with a new appreciation for the mysteries, pains, and yes, joys of being an active participant in a loved one's transition from this earth." As she shared her story with others who struggled with the dilemma of what to do and how to cope when their loved ones were dying, Ms. Longfellow realized that her experiences provided comfort and guidance that made a difference. Eventually, more and more people came to her for advice. She knew she had to write her story to motivate and inspire others to create their own rituals and learn to say goodbye in their own ways. Ms. Longfellow tells the story of how one family came together to honor their parents' final stage of life. It's a compelling tale that will resonate with readers.
