A Little Help From My Friends

I just finished reading Pattie Boyd's book, Wonderful Tonight.  Pattie was a model in London when she met George Harrison, the young man she would marry and later divorce in order to marry musician Eric Clapton.  She chronicles the rise and break up of the Beatles, the rock and roll British counter culture of the 60's, and the fallout when a void is created after a dynamic personality dies.  When the manager of the Beatles, Brian Epstein,  died in 1967 of an accidental overdose, she witnesses the unraveling of the Fab Four.  Brian had not only managed the group, but held it together.

Sometimes there is a void after a death, and it is helpful to seek professional counseling during times of loss.  I have witnessed many people who made poor life decisions while grieving, and enter rebound relationships, bad business choices or trust the wrong person.  I met a really cool lady who works with grieving children and adults.  Her name is Cheri Masshardt, and she is a licensed clinical social worker.  She truly loves helping people through the transition of coping with loss.  Her website is www.healingjourneyoftheheart.com.  I asked her if she ever got depressed dealing with sorrow every day, and she said no, it doesn't get to her, and she truly loves what she does.  I don't think therapists can fill the void, but I do think they help people prevent it from becoming a vacuum.  Sometimes you just need a little help, and it's good to know there are great people out there. 

Memory Lap Quilt

On Thursday, January 10th, I attended a meeting for ADEC (Association for Death Education and Counseling), where I met some amazing people.  Cynthia Beal, of the Natural Burial Company, was giving a talk on natural death and green burials.  She was very well received, and every time I am around her I learn something.

Although I came to meet the group, and hear Cynthia, I was unexpectedly moved by a guest who was invited to share her skill of making memory lap-quilts.  She explained how after her husband had died in 1997 she made two quilts using his old shirts, and how they brought her great comfort.  The thought of wrapping yourself in something as personal as your loved ones old clothes seems like a nice way to be near them.

The cost is $75, and takes 4-6 weeks.  There are different patterns to choose from, and requires six items of clothing.  She can also do quilts that are not memorial quilts, of course.  To contact her, call (503)650-9884.

Too Close for Comfort

In the January 6th Oregonian there was an Associated Press story ripe for the late night talk shows. Would there were not a writers strike going on in Hollywood! 

James Asper and Mary Hansen, partners in Aspen Funeral Home, LLC are leasing a 6,000 square foot building in Couer D'Alene, Idaho, with the intention of opening a funeral home across the street from a senior center.  The two potential business owners were oblivious to the irony that the seniors, who were not amused, recognized immediately.  One regular said she didn't want to look at a reminder of her eventual demise while she's eating lunch.  So, when the seniors took umbrage and brought a petition signed by about 100 protesters to the Couer D'Alene City Council asking them to deny a special permit for the site, Hansen said, "We find it a little disconcerting that they would think that location is intentional."

Wow!  So they weren't calculating, just insensitive and clueless.   

Uh, good luck with that business, James & Mary.