 |
 |
Rituals to Mark Transitions |
|
 Things
To Do When Time May Be Short
Ritual is one way for cultures and individuals to give meaning and
continuity to their lives. You may want to use rituals to mark your
changing body and life. If you are religious, a prayer service can
allow you to acknowledge the gift of your body, offer thanks for the
use of it and symbolically surrender the part(s) no longer useful.
This can be healing for the body, the mind, and the spirit. If you
would like help, a chaplain, member of the clergy, or other spiritual
counselor could help you plan such a service.
Another ritual involves making something that is uniquely yours, to
leave for your children or their children. In a simple ritual, Janie
gathered all the photos of herself and, together with her family,
reminisced about old times. Afterwards, she placed the photos in a
small box, requesting that they be put away and not shown again until
after she had died. You might go through photos and label them, especially
if others will not readily recognize people from the past.
You might make gifts of items that have been special to you, or that
are significant to members of your family. All of these activities
are helpful ways to change focus. Physical decline is often inevitable
with terminal illness, so dealing with the changes is crucial. By
trying to keep a positive view of yourself, you may be better able
to endure the changes you experience. |
|
Adapted from The
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness,
by Joanne Lynn and Joan Harrold, copyright by Joanne Lynn, used by
permission of Oxford University Press.
|
|
|
