This reflects my beliefs and my reason for writing The Last Gift Box! Enjoy the ride. There is no return ticket. George Carlin on aging! (Absolutely Brilliant) IF YOU DON'T READ THIS TO THE VERY END, YOU HAVE LOST A DAY IN YOUR LIFE. George Carlin's Views on Aging is: Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. 'How old are you?' ' I'm fo

I am having a great time trying to figure out how to get people to talk about death and dying. I know, it's a challenge. My husband has a hard time with this and he has to continue to live with me as I chatter about getting our Last Gift Box complete. "Let's plan our memorial, honey, while we sip this lovely new wine you found." and "How you doing on writing your obituary? Got any new ideas? " I'm not his favorite conversation partner when the topic strays to writing our p

I decided this year to follow my daughter's example. She and her family sit together on January 1 and decide on one or two words that will be their focus for the year. I always thought it was a great idea, just never did it. This year is different. I would like to think it is due to all the activities I want to do, the projects I want to complete, the books I want to read, the plants I want to get into my garden - It could be aging and accepting there is a change in my bod

The Last Gift Box is your way to get prepared for you major life transition - Life to Death. It seems daunting but it really is a doable process. Take it step by step. No need to even think you can manage all the organizing and decision making in one sitting. Here are a few suggestions: Utilize the new forms that support each chapter ( available in January, 2018!) Start the conversation NOW, not when the crisis is overtaking you and all those you love. The Last Gift Box puts

"Thank God they can not cut down the clouds" Thoreau 1857 Alameda Land - claimed, settled, cleared, fenced, planted, built on, asphalted over with little Eden places, like the bike path around Mount Trashmore. The name speaks of bygone rubbish of past lives. The reality is a wonderful hill in flat Alameda, blocking the roadway from my fiew as I ride the bike path along San Leandro Bay. I see ground squirrels racing about, smell the licorace plant, watch pelicans, egrets, d

It is a New Year. Begin again with deciding how to live your life and not let it pass you by. We will die, but we need to listen to Erma and LIVE now. IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER Some thoughts from the late Erma Bobeck, written after she found out she was dying of cancer: I would have gone to be when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for a day. I would have talked less and listened more. I would hav