Awards

• Winner of Benjamin Franklin Award (Gift) 2010

Overview

Individuals facing death may not know how to express the range of emotions, questions, and discoveries they experience. At the same time, family members, friends, and even professional caregivers may be uncertain as to whether and how to broach the subject of death and dying. Now a unique resource, Facing Death: A Companion in Words and Images, can help open the door to meaningful conversation, reminiscence, and reflection at the end of life. 2010 Ben Franklin Award (Best gift book of the year) 2010 National Mature Media Award (Silver Award Winner) 2009 National Best Books Award (Spirituality: Journals & Quotes category)

Full Product Details

9781932529487

Table of Contents

Reviews

This easy to read mini-book is filled with inspirational ideas, thought-provoking sentences and incredibly stunning photographs. Much of the general public can relate to the universal themes illustrated. Anyone interested in self-reflection can read a page at a time to provide 'food for thought'. In addition, the book can be used by health care professionals as springboard to open dialogue, particularly with clients facing life-limiting illness. We believe this to be a simple yet potentially powerful tool that can provide comfort to those grieving. --Assistant Exec Dir Rose De Angelis, RN, MSc(A), CHPCN C, and Executive Director/Founder Teresa Dellar, MSW, PSW, CT The West Island Palliative Care Residence (01/01/2001) Author Linda Watson and photographer Maggie Sale have combined their considerable talents to produce a visually stunning book entitled Facing Death: A Companion In Words and Images. Drawing upon the teachings of the Abrahamic faiths, Native American wisdom, poets, and sages, they have crafted a volume with words to live by, comfort for those facing the end of life and a balm for those who are grieving. Part inspiration and part diary for collecting your own thoughts, reflections, and pictures, this beautiful book stands as a lovely gift to someone who is struggling with illness or mourning or for yourself as you make meaning of the journey. --Dr. Eunice Gorman, RN, BSW, MSW, RSW, Thanatology, Department of Interdisciplinary Programs King's University College at U.W.O. (01/01/2001) Linda Watson has created a brilliant journal filled with awe-inspiring photography whose beauty is only surpassed by the poignancy of the written messages. A simple yet profound work, it offers a way out of suffering and into peace for people who are dying and bereaved. --Rev. Linda M. Amador, MDiv, MPH, CT, CRP, Christian Minister, Certified Thanatologist, Spiritual Dir., Grief Facilitator Hospice/Hospital Chaplain (01/01/2001) This book will touch your heart and soul with hope, even in the midst of grief, through inspirational sayings and pictures. This book also provides a unique opportunity for the reader to capture their thoughts as well as sayings that have inspired them during their grief journey. Facing Death: A Companion in Words and Images combines the thoughts and inspirations of the writer and the reader. --Jan Borgman, LISW-S, FT, Bereavement Manager Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (01/01/2001) I opened the book and found a beautiful gift. The images quicken my heart and remind me of the beauty I've experienced at the bedside of dying loved ones and clients. Each page invites me to stop, meditate and appreciate. Exquisite images and words will lighten any heart facing death . . . and life. --Joan Chadbourne, EdD, Founder, and author of Healing Conversations Toward End-of-Life Health Conversations Now (01/01/2001) The quotations, reflections, and affirmations collected in this book can be used by a wide variety of individuals.... I'm sure my colleagues in Hospice will add it to their resources to share with patients and their families, as well as occasionally using it for their own reflection and renewal. --Catherine Parsons Emmett, MSN, ARNP, Ph.D., Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist LIfePath Hospice (Tampa, FL) (01/01/2001) This book is particularly valuable because it provides the opportunity for thoughtful dialogue and allows for families to evolve their own unique perspective. --THe Honourable Sharon Carstairs, P.C. Canadian Senate (01/01/2001) Linda Watson masterfully weaves stunning photographs with poems and verses that provoke thoughts and images of peace and spiritual awareness for those on their final journey in life. I highly recommend this book to those facing death, or their loved ones, as a means of creating a positive connection to the world as they leave their legacy behind on this earth. --Carol O. Long, Ph.D., RN, Co-Director Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia (01/01/2001) -This easy to read mini-book is filled with inspirational ideas, thought-provoking sentences and incredibly stunning photographs. Much of the general public can relate to the universal themes illustrated. Anyone interested in self-reflection can read a page at a time to provide 'food for thought'. In addition, the book can be used by health care professionals as springboard to open dialogue, particularly with clients facing life-limiting illness. We believe this to be a simple yet potentially powerful tool that can provide comfort to those grieving.---Assistant Exec Dir Rose De Angelis, RN, MSc(A), CHPCN C, and Executive Director/Founder Teresa Dellar, MSW, PSW, CT-The West Island Palliative Care Residence- (01/01/2001) -Author Linda Watson and photographer Maggie Sale have combined their considerable talents to produce a visually stunning book entitled Facing Death: A Companion In Words and Images. Drawing upon the teachings of the Abrahamic faiths, Native American wisdom, poets, and sages, they have crafted a volume with words to live by, comfort for those facing the end of life and a balm for those who are grieving. Part inspiration and part diary for collecting your own thoughts, reflections, and pictures, this beautiful book stands as a lovely gift to someone who is struggling with illness or mourning or for yourself as you make meaning of the journey.---Dr. Eunice Gorman, RN, BSW, MSW, RSW, Thanatology, Department of Interdisciplinary Programs-King's University College at U.W.O.- (01/01/2001) -Linda Watson has created a brilliant journal filled with awe-inspiring photography whose beauty is only surpassed by the poignancy of the written messages. A simple yet profound work, it offers a way out of suffering and into peace for people who are dying and bereaved.---Rev. Linda M. Amador, MDiv, MPH, CT, CRP, Christian Minister, Certified Thanatologist, Spiritual Dir., Grief Facilitator-Hospice/Hospital Chaplain- (01/01/2001) -This book will touch your heart and soul with hope, even in the midst of grief, through inspirational sayings and pictures. This book also provides a unique opportunity for the reader to capture their thoughts as well as sayings that have inspired them during their grief journey. Facing Death: A Companion in Words and Images combines the thoughts and inspirations of the writer and the reader.---Jan Borgman, LISW-S, FT, Bereavement Manager-Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center- (01/01/2001) -I opened the book and found a beautiful gift. The images quicken my heart and remind me of the beauty I've experienced at the bedside of dying loved ones and clients. Each page invites me to stop, meditate and appreciate. Exquisite images and words will lighten any heart facing death . . . and life.---Joan Chadbourne, EdD, Founder, and author of Healing Conversations Toward End-of-Life-Health Conversations Now- (01/01/2001) -The quotations, reflections, and affirmations collected in this book can be used by a wide variety of individuals.... I'm sure my colleagues in Hospice will add it to their resources to share with patients and their families, as well as occasionally using it for their own reflection and renewal.---Catherine Parsons Emmett, MSN, ARNP, Ph.D., Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist-LIfePath Hospice (Tampa, FL)- (01/01/2001) -This book is particularly valuable because it provides the opportunity for thoughtful dialogue and allows for families to evolve their own unique perspective.---THe Honourable Sharon Carstairs, P.C.-Canadian Senate- (01/01/2001) -Linda Watson masterfully weaves stunning photographs with poems and verses that provoke thoughts and images of peace and spiritual awareness for those on their final journey in life. I highly recommend this book to those facing death, or their loved ones, as a means of creating a positive connection to the world as they leave their legacy behind on this earth.---Carol O. Long, Ph.D., RN, Co-Director-Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia- (01/01/2001)

This book is particularly valuable because it provides the opportunity for thoughtful dialogue and allows for families to evolve their own unique perspective. --THe Honourable Sharon Carstairs, P.C. Canadian Senate (01/01/2001) Highly recommended as a gift book for anyone confronting the end of their lives, as well as and [sic] those closest to them. --Midwest Book Review (01/01/2001) This easy to read mini-book is filled with inspirational ideas, thought-provoking sentences and incredibly stunning photographs. Much of the general public can relate to the universal themes illustrated. Anyone interested in self-reflection can read a page at a time to provide 'food for thought'. In addition, the book can be used by health care professionals as springboard to open dialogue, particularly with clients facing life-limiting illness. We believe this to be a simple yet potentially powerful tool that can provide comfort to those grieving. -- (01/01/2001) Author Linda Watson and photographer Maggie Sale have combined their considerable talents to produce a visually stunning book entitled Facing Death: A Companion In Words and Images. Drawing upon the teachings of the Abrahamic faiths, Native American wisdom, poets, and sages, they have crafted a volume with words to live by, comfort for those facing the end of life and a balm for those who are grieving. Part inspiration and part diary for collecting your own thoughts, reflections, and pictures, this beautiful book stands as a lovely gift to someone who is struggling with illness or mourning or for yourself as you make meaning of the journey. -- (01/01/2001) Linda Watson has created a brilliant journal filled with awe-inspiring photography whose beauty is only surpassed by the poignancy of the written messages. A simple yet profound work, it offers a way out of suffering and into peace for people who are dying and bereaved. -- (01/01/2001) This book will touch your heart and soul with hope, even in the midst of grief, through inspirational sayings and pictures. This book also provides a unique opportunity for the reader to capture their thoughts as well as sayings that have inspired them during their grief journey. Facing Death: A Companion in Words and Images combines the thoughts and inspirations of the writer and the reader. -- (01/01/2001) I opened the book and found a beautiful gift. The images quicken my heart and remind me of the beauty I've experienced at the bedside of dying loved ones and clients. Each page invites me to stop, meditate and appreciate. Exquisite images and words will lighten any heart facing death . . . and life. -- (01/01/2001) The quotations, reflections, and affirmations collected in this book can be used by a wide variety of individuals.... I'm sure my colleagues in Hospice will add it to their resources to share with patients and their families, as well as occasionally using it for their own reflection and renewal. -- (01/01/2001) Linda Watson masterfully weaves stunning photographs with poems and verses that provoke thoughts and images of peace and spiritual awareness for those on their final journey in life. I highly recommend this book to those facing death, or their loved ones, as a means of creating a positive connection to the world as they leave their legacy behind on this earth. -- (01/01/2001) This book could be very helpful for some patients and their carers. The texts cover a range of situations, and while many might be categorized as 'warm and fuzzy', several express the distress and strong emotions often experienced by patients facing end of life situations . . . I would see the book as a useful addition to the pastoral care section of the library of a palliative care unit, as well as being available for patients and relatives to use, with information on how to order the book for individual use. -- (01/01/2001)

Linda Watson masterfully weaves stunning photographs with poems and verses that provoke thoughts and images of peace and spiritual awareness for those on their final journey in life. I highly recommend this book to those facing death, or their loved ones, as a means of creating a positive connection to the world as they leave their legacy behind on this earth. --Carol O. Long, Ph.D., RN, Co-Director Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia (01/01/2001)

Author Information

As a former pastoral and supportive care professional, Linda Watson found herself drawn, again and again, to work with the dying and the bereaved. With degrees from the University of Calgary, McMaster University in Hamilton, ON, and the University of Toronto, Linda worked in parish ministry and later as the Peer Support and Supportive Care Coordinator of a breast cancer resource centre in Winnipeg, MB. Where others sometimes kept their distance, Linda moved in close and became a trusted companion of the dying and their loved ones on many occasions. She learned at least some of the questions to ask, some of the silences to leave hanging, and some of the words to offer when it was time. Her counseling and theological training, plus the experiences life provided her, combined to assist her in being a positive presence at bedsides and elsewhere with those facing death. It was an event in her personal life, however, that moved her to put some of the wisdom she had gained in the context of these experiences down on paper. Her sister, who had been battling cancer for a few years, was suddenly given 6 weeks to live and Linda was too far distant to be there in the ways she desired. Writing down kernels of wisdom and quotations she knew would be helpful to her sister led eventually to the compilation in this volume, one that has been tested now by others and evaluated favorably by other professionals in the field of end of life care.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available