Full Circle: A conversation about living and dying

In our modern culture, we don’t sit around a fire and repeat the tales of our ancestors. Many of us are no longer members of a nuclear family or a tight community. The effect of not belonging to such a group is that we’ve become isolated as individuals. We don’t feel related. We don’t get to know each other as well as former generations did and–social media aside–we are not known in that familiar sense. We live and die relatively unknown.

Death is the great unknown. Dying, however, can be observed and discussed and reported on. Dying can be shared and comforted. Dying can be approached with intention and awareness, the idea being to fill the process with compassion and to live as fully as possible in the meantime. Every living thing expires. While the cause of one’s death may be beyond control, how we think about dying and how we act in the face of death are up to us. We have choices. This conversation is meant to explore those choices from as many angles as possible.

Even so, you might wonder why would anyone want to talk, read, or even think about death. Until coming face-to-face with the cold fact of mortality, there often isn’t much conversation about this taboo subject. When someone’s death does disrupt our expectations of living on into the future, the meanings we give to life come into focus.

The very process of writing can cause memories to bubble up through your consciousness. Writing can bring new insights and clarity about how and why things happened the way they did and what it all means. Writing helps you to connect the dots. When you write your truth, you not only learn from the exercise, you also contribute your valuable perspective to others–which is what relatedness is all about.

The most important aspect of dying and death that you can write about is your personal story. This is an opportunity for you to describe your experiences and express your feelings. Put yourself into the conversation. We invite you to join us in Full Circle and tell us your story. Submissions can be sent to: cfdblogemail@gmail.com.

Full Circle Blog

Letter from Elise Lark, CFD Co-Founder

Personal Narrative
August 1, 2023March 7, 2024

When CFD Co-Founder Elise Lark discovered the home for the dying comfort care model many years ago, it aligned with her personal vision and professional… Read More »Letter from Elise Lark, CFD Co-Founder

The One That’s Left by Paul V. Leone

Personal Narrative
December 20, 2022

I don’t think about these things. I don’t have to make a grocery list, I don’t have to wonder about what goes where, when, or… Read More »The One That’s Left by Paul V. Leone

Being Mortal by Jim Gohlke

Personal Narrative
October 2, 2022March 7, 2024

We all are mortal, a fact often hidden away in a closet in the back of our minds. Seldom do we confront the significance of… Read More »Being Mortal by Jim Gohlke

Last Flight Home: A Documentary

Film Review
September 22, 2022March 7, 2024

Eli Timoner became partially paralyzed at age 53 in a quirky accident that left him unable to walk and work and live what most of… Read More »Last Flight Home: A Documentary

Death Came Young by Michael Wallace

Personal Narrative
May 30, 2022October 4, 2024

When my oldest grandson was 19, less than a year after his HS graduation, he was killed by a drunk driver speeding through a red… Read More »Death Came Young by Michael Wallace

Inevitability by Al Konigsberg

Personal Narrative
May 30, 2022May 30, 2022

When I became ill with leukemia 15 years ago, I took it very personally. Why did this happen to me? I had other plans for… Read More »Inevitability by Al Konigsberg

Listen Doc, I Think I’ll Choose the Latter

Personal Narrative
April 1, 2022

They called him Johnny Average, his stage persona. This British rocker could really charm the crowd at Woodstock’s favorite post-festival music venue, The Joyous Lake.… Read More »Listen Doc, I Think I’ll Choose the Latter

A “Free Kill”

Essay, Personal Narrative
March 1, 2022March 1, 2022

From Writer Ed McCann… Today is my sister Betty’s birthday; she would have turned 78, but died a preventable death in Florida this past summer,… Read More »A “Free Kill”

Two Poems Questioning the Nature of Grief

Poetry
February 19, 2022

Passage of Time by Vicki Stent Why does it seem so long ago that you were there to hug. Why does it seem just yesterday… Read More »Two Poems Questioning the Nature of Grief

Intro to Impermanence: Goodbyes by Seth David Branitz

Personal Narrative
February 3, 2022October 3, 2024

My eldest son was with us for the difficult duty of ending our geriatric cat’s suffering. We joined in profound grief and love and stood… Read More »Intro to Impermanence: Goodbyes by Seth David Branitz