Hospice Whispers: Stories of Life

Hospice Whispers: Stories of Life

When we fear death, we miss out on a lot of life. This book hopes to change that. While hospices care for persons in their final days, hospice is not about death. It’s all about LIFE—real, nitty-gritty, poignant, funny, challenging, and bittersweet life in all its beauty and imperfection. Those who have experienced hospice usually speak in reverential tones of this service and find themselves fearing death less because they have seen all the incredible life that happens until the final moment. But those unfamiliar with hospice often misunderstand and fear it, and the end of life. Through first-hand accounts that range from humorous to heart-wrenchingly honest, Carla shares the stories that continue to teach her the lessons of what it means to be truly present with ourselves and each other in this perfectly imperfect experience called life. As a hospice chaplain, Rev. Dr. Carla Cheatham works with persons of all backgrounds, faiths, and ideologies and sees the dignity and worth of each one, exactly as they are. With an MA in psychology, a Masters of Divinity, a Ph.D. in health and kinesiology, and certifi cation in trauma therapy, Carla is passionate about providing open-hearted care to all persons. For years, she has used these stories to teach hospice chaplains and other healthcare professionals to do the same. Now, she brings these stories to the public, to help us better understand the care that can mean, and teach, so much to us all.