Overview

Have you or a loved one been told you have limited time left? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the diagnosis? Do you want to say Goodbye to friends and family in a positive way before you die? You've been in the position of thinking about this before today. You've been at the funeral where everyone is saying, Have I come to the right send-off? The person they're talking about isn't the person I knew! How often have you thought, I just hope my funeral isn't like this ? Well, with this very practical and heartfelt book, full of resources, your situation doesn't have to be like this. Your farewell can truly reflect your life and passions, and if you choose to, you can say your goodbyes before you die. Don't leave the planning to chance - or to strangers. Whether you want to be at your own party, or you just want to ensure your wishes are respected, don't wait. Plan your own bon voyage party or living wake . It doesn't need to be daunting or overwhelming. Sue will show you just how easy it is to take control of your own life and your departure from it! Not only do you receive resources and guidelines to help with the practical aspects of planning, Sue also provides three illustrative fictional stories of how others have handled do-it-yourself planning (a man in his 40s, a teen girl, and a woman in her 80s). There are resources on communication - reconnecting and reconciling with people where perhaps you've lost touch or there is unfinished business - and on helping those you leave behind to transition into grief in a healing way rather than one of despair. Sue Lake-Harris has a background as a celebrant, holistic health teacher and practitioner, event manager and performing arts teacher. Sue has used her experiences as inspiration to write this book, along with resources, guides and tips, that will help you tailor an amazing farewell that truly reflects the person who will be saying goodbye - you. She is sympathetic to the position readers find themselves in, but is practical in her approach - ideas are presented in a positive way, but nothing is sugar-coated or avoided. What others say... An amazing heart-wrenching and tear-jerking book, yet positive and practical. Written from the heart and badly needed for families living with the knowledge of imminent or near imminent passing. John Coleman, Palliative Care Volunteer President - Australian Reiki Connection I'm Dying... Let's Party! is a must have for every family. Use this book to plan ahead and break down the barriers and end of life burdens. Realize that it is very healthy and wise to break tradition and express love and the life lived. Debra Lynn Hayes Author of: RISE...What To Do When Hell Won't Back Off

Full Product Details

9781640857896

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Reviews

This is a 'how to' book with a big difference. Wish I'd thought of it. Toni Lamond (AM) Author of: First Half, Along the Way, Still a Gypsy Awards: Two Logie Awards, Australian Centenary Medal, J.C. Williamson Award, Helpmann Award, Equity Lifetime Achievement Award, Order of Australia This is a lovely insight into death, and preparation for that inevitable event. Sue is sensitive to the fear that is around the subject - and the three stories embrace very different approaches which I feel opens up options even more for discussion. Well-worth reading, discussing, planning, and know that your send-off will be as you wish - with the right type of music! I recommend Sue's book I'm Dying... Let's Party! Suzanne Newnham Author of: Ethics of a Psychic Reading Health and Chronic Pain columnist An amazing heart-wrenching and tear-jerking book, yet positive and practical. Written from the heart and badly needed for families living with the knowledge of imminent or near imminent passing. John Coleman Palliative Care Volunteer President - Australian Reiki Connection Inc., the Association of Australian Reiki Professionals I'm Dying... Let's Party! is a must have for every family. Use this book to plan ahead and break down the barriers and end of life burdens. Realize that it is very healthy and wise to break tradition and express love and the life lived. Debra Lynn Hayes Author of: RISE...What To Do When Hell Won't Back Off

Author Information

Sue Lake-Harris was born in Carlton, Victoria, Australia. She currently lives in Coffs Harbour and feels it's a stunning part of Australia. Sue was raised by wonderful, but very human, parents. Her beloved father died just before her sixth birthday, and by the time she was 21, she had lost over ten people who were close to her through accident, illness, and misadventure. Death was no stranger in her life... Her work in celebrancy and holistic healthcare in particular brought home to her the need for people to take more control over their exits from this life - not in terms of medical care or wills (though those are important) - but in planning their own farewell celebrations in ways that truly reflect them, rather than reflecting the funeral industry's preferences. Indeed, she actively encourages people to attend their farewells while still around to participate! As a celebrant, she learnt that you can be atheist, agnostic, religious, spiritual, and still have an exit from this life that is meaningful and reflects a person's character with accuracy, warmth, and (often), a lot of humour! She currently teaches traditional Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki, runs a professional practice in this modality (supporting animals as well as humans), teaches performing arts, is a public speaker, mentor and coach, course designer, and (of course), she writes! Sue lives with her family and pets, has planned her own farewell - which she regularly updates as she ages and her experiences change - and actively supports environmental, youth, and animal causes. What can one say about Toni Lamond? Well, quite a lot actually! Toni began performing as a child with her parents at the Tivoli in variety shows, and in the 1950s she became Australia's first home-grown musical theatre lead in the J.C. Williamson's production of The Pajama Game. In the past, Australian versions of stage musicals had imported leads from Broadway or the West End. Toni broke that cycle. She subsequently starred in Oliver!, 42nd Street, Annie, Gypsy!, and as Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance with Jon English. There were many more stage, television, and even movie appearances (as an adjudicator in Razzle Dazzle for one). Toni lived in the U.S. for several years, performing in cabaret shows, and with the occasional appearance in a TV series such as Murder She Wrote, Starsky and Hutch, and The Love Boat. Tony's son is celebrated Broadway performer, Tony Sheldon, and her younger sister is internationally acclaimed Helen Reddy. Her own parents were considered showbiz royalty in Australian theatre and television, so it's not surprising the industry is in the blood. Toni has been awarded 2 Logies, a Variety Club of Australia Award, a Mo Award, a Centenary Medal, a Member of the Order of Australia, and Lifetime Achievement Award. Toni has also been inducted into the Aussie Theatre Hall of Fame, and received a Helpmann Award. Sue's sons have awarded her Best Nana in the World. Sue and Toni met and worked together while taking the lead roles of Lila and Vere in the World Premiere of Careful, He Might Hear You - The Musical, produced by Supa Productions in Canberra in 1999. They have been firm friends ever since, with Toni being Sue's other mother and Nana Tone to her sons. Toni has actively promoted the development of youth in live performance for many years and supports Sue in this work. As a published author and recognised senior in age, she was thrilled to provide the foreword for Sue's book.

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