https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights daily 0.75 2023-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611713292319-6DC2VS5YJM74PCHKKR0E/icon+group+5.png Irreverent Insights https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/finding-what-you-need monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1613059048726-DN7OMLIWSJLYY9P9Y0GR/fire.png Irreverent Insights - Finding What You Need https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/please-allow-me-to-introduce-myself monthly 0.5 2022-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611688505983-HGII4OUSGCX1INI4ZRNU/TIGO+face+favicon.png Irreverent Insights - Welcome! Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/book-review-death-cleaning monthly 0.5 2022-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1722e6a1-7d33-4569-8e85-9c3c42924abc/Death+Cleaning.jpg Irreverent Insights - Book Review: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning - Before I read Margareta Magnusson’s book, I didn’t know there was a name for how to spare family and friends and Executrixes the special suffering that is purging a lifetime’s worth of detritus after an elder dies. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/spotlight-alzheimers-and-hfc monthly 0.5 2022-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1616458335423-R87QXG28DWP2Y7IE7H81/Homepage-CountyFair.jpg Irreverent Insights - Spotlight: Alzheimer’s and HFC https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/an-homage-to-aggie monthly 0.5 2022-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1617677258467-VKTCW8D6ZWXYOQ33JUB3/max.png Irreverent Insights - Pet Death: An Homage to Aggie Painting by Bren Bataclan https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/a-starter-kit-of-sorts monthly 0.5 2022-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1619579406160-Z7UBAGZV1QG3U3NBUTH9/Starter+kit.png Irreverent Insights - A Start of Sh*t Starter Kit (of sorts) - It has come to my attention that — just as youth is wasted on the young — eldercare and end of life information is wasted on those who have already earned that wisdom the hard way. Meaning, even if someone (hypothetically, of course) created a website with an At the Start of Sh*t section that contains a Sh*t You Need to Talk About Now subsection, someone seeking a Starter Kit still might admit to only skimming images and not noticing the content itself. So, as complementary commentary to my latest Irreverent Anecdote and Audio let me be explicit: https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/how-grandma-used-up-one-of-her-9-lives monthly 0.5 2022-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1620748031013-HX1HG21HPFJOQUAGIX0W/Mother%27s+day2.png Irreverent Insights - How Grandma Used Up One of her 9 Lives - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/wondering-what-the-eldercare-future-holds monthly 0.5 2022-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1621914479575-QNI0FXBOF4PWTPFKTUNH/crystal+ball.png Irreverent Insights - Gazing into Our Eldercare Futures - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/grandma-helps-mepractice-what-i-preach monthly 0.5 2022-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1623158351288-ZVM5ARCN7ZHS72J09DV2/Gma+end.png Irreverent Insights - Grandma Helps Me Practice What I Preach - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/the-selfish-necessity-of-self-care monthly 0.5 2022-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625839122508-LVQVIZNA41318ZY8C3C1/camping+care.png Irreverent Insights - The Selfish Necessity of Self-Care - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/the-existential-housekeeing-at-the-end-of-life monthly 0.5 2022-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/c17f849b-f13b-485d-aad7-48953599e2c9/Gma+Obit.png Irreverent Insights - Existential End-of-Life Housekeeping - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/celebrating-eldercare-efforts monthly 0.5 2022-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630940348536-9HOPCYSH63HTEY9FOTP0/we+can+do+it.jpg Irreverent Insights - Celebrating Eldercare Efforts - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/reflections-on-missing-the-moment monthly 0.5 2022-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/da647b32-60bb-4b23-aa63-4e578cfb31a5/bubbles.png Irreverent Insights - Reflections on Missing “the” Moment - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/grandma-goodbye-tour monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/a9ee226b-ffc3-4a4a-bc84-f9a7cf89550c/cow.png Irreverent Insights - Grandma Goodbye Tour — Live 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/book-review-caitlin-doughty-cory-taylor monthly 0.5 2022-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/d6ff52c2-dd22-41ee-8daa-70984cebe699/Sugar+Skull.png Irreverent Insights - Book Review: “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” & “Dying, A Memoir” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/the-seven-ages-of-grandma monthly 0.5 2022-02-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/dfb2ec27-1f53-4c0f-9b92-565d97bef112/yorick.png Irreverent Insights - The Seven Ages of Grandma - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/luck-be-a-lady monthly 0.5 2022-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/b0de7ca0-b151-449f-ad44-9c732f597241/jackpot.png Irreverent Insights - Luck Be a Lady - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/defining-quality-of-life monthly 0.5 2023-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/6a327e20-ede4-4f68-8137-7d4a3eec2f60/Specialists.png Irreverent Insights - Defining Quality of Life - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/defining-quality-of-life-ak8l4 monthly 0.5 2023-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/74def98b-b6f8-4dfc-be59-75ed7d192678/Screen+Shot+2023-01-22+at+6.49.15+PM.png Irreverent Insights - Hello Death, My Old Friend - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/category/In+the+Middle+of+Sh*t monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/category/Need+to+Have+a+Laugh monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/category/Test monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/category/At+the+Start+of+Sh*t monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/category/Fundamental+Sh*t monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/category/Book+Review monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-insights/category/At+the+End+of+Sh*t monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes daily 0.75 2023-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611692300349-N0033DI1B5Z4RLTBYG58/icon+group+1.png Irreverent Anecdotes https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/one-of-the-many-reasons-alzheimers-is-so-shtty monthly 0.5 2021-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609200866358-0FV2YRJJ84O0QE2ESVLK/ec247c48-ec0b-4502-9bd6-bc2d9c32da87.jpg Irreverent Anecdotes - One of the many reasons Alzheimer’s is so sh*tty https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/how-covid-has-impacted-my-mom monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1613430553116-II7VYAMX1WSIU9M8QA1Q/51A6A907-8B90-4AFD-ACEF-C54BB44FD8D7.png Irreverent Anecdotes - How Covid has impacted my Mom https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/denial-is-not-just-a-river-in-egypt monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1615269094225-LT5UOGO30OGJDD4DCX6G/Secondhand.jpg Irreverent Anecdotes - Denial is not just a river in Egypt https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/fair-weather-friends monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1616382038562-G9PRGPUWRLSNJOG6J45F/18D9E367-F83F-439B-B484-4A457B68532A.jpeg Irreverent Anecdotes - Fair-weather friends https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/when-life-imitates-a-1980s-commercial monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1617678493516-I2UIOH6JMNKJE5LKM1I4/dad+fall.png Irreverent Anecdotes - When life imitates a 1980s TV commercial https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/the-dubious-honor-of-becoming-an-executrix monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1619539304709-0BYG2NDWG06U0M4ZQXTX/Executrix.png Irreverent Anecdotes - The dubious honor of becoming an Executrix https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/when-mom-is-as-daft-as-dad-was-obstinate monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1620672550077-SCRY6KOFN2SUN4243OWB/Gma+Medical+alert.png Irreverent Anecdotes - When Mom is as daft as Dad was obstinate https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/grandma-doesnt-fear-the-reaper monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1621735527283-NHQM4XXYNB3RQYRZKBQ0/Grandma+Reaper.png Irreverent Anecdotes - Grandma doesn’t fear the Reaper https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/why-grandma-should-donate-her-body-to-science monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1623084488364-7LI4QYQ599QG8XT8TCXX/Gma+and+Grim.jpeg Irreverent Anecdotes - Why my mom should donate her body to science https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/necessity-is-the-mother-of-invention monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1627947204319-BNSX9RO5KKM0Y3CNG97S/Betsy+Dad2.jpg Irreverent Anecdotes - Necessity is the mother of invention https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/the-sweeter-side-of-alzheimers monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1627948061705-PJCKJBYGLMA37XCZP1H3/All+dead.jpeg Irreverent Anecdotes - The sillier side of Alzheimer’s https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/great-expectations monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630943500043-0VYP9B8JECZJSMLKQMG0/great+expectations.jpg Irreverent Anecdotes - Great expectations https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/grapes-of-shame monthly 0.5 2022-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/78ea9b52-65e7-4937-a61f-6c9b33ad3f3b/betsy+gma.png Irreverent Anecdotes - Grapes of shame https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/twenty-questions monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/46e79cd3-ce00-4cb3-a9e5-c44e7de251aa/specialists.png Irreverent Anecdotes - Twenty questions https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/secret-santa-swap monthly 0.5 2022-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/e4d7165a-1516-4710-a3c2-37931ca69abe/grim+swap.png Irreverent Anecdotes - Knocking on heaven’s door https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/how-covid-has-impacted-my-mom-part-deux monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/3a7e89e6-0233-47bc-aa37-ce8f649fc70e/Jan_2022.png Irreverent Anecdotes - How Covid has impacted my Mom (Part Deux) https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/home-for-the-holidays monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/a00e19fa-61b3-48ca-98d4-d2a2462417ce/thanksgiving.png Irreverent Anecdotes - Home for the holidays https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/home-for-the-holidays-w4z44 monthly 0.5 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/8c240cac-694e-434c-9253-b12394d943a2/side+swipe.png Irreverent Anecdotes - The Duchess of Hazard https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/a-new-test-for-drivers-ed monthly 0.5 2022-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/b5ba1aaf-201a-4790-bb35-931f639945d1/driving+test.png Irreverent Anecdotes - A new Driver’s Ed test https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/staying-alive-is-a-hassle monthly 0.5 2022-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1eecdbe0-d079-447e-aec4-9c3e9dac0cb3/gma+hassle.png Irreverent Anecdotes - An Inconvenient Truth https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/part-1-love-thy-neighbor monthly 0.5 2023-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/4b68cb16-37e1-4793-8c57-019c22ced782/Part+1+Love+Thy+Neighbor.png Irreverent Anecdotes - Part 1: Love thy neighbor https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/part-2-immersion-therapy monthly 0.5 2023-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/648dbd64-0b2e-4d97-831a-85d2de9dc2a2/Part+2+Immersion+Therapy.png Irreverent Anecdotes - Part 2: Immersion therapy https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/part-3-patience-is-a-virtue monthly 0.5 2023-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/4d724ce8-02d1-4e7a-a478-f649b121ce93/Part+3+-+Patience+is+a+Virtue.png Irreverent Anecdotes - Part 3: Patience is a virtue https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/category/In+the+Middle+of+Sh*t monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-anecdotes/category/At+the+Start+of+Sh*t monthly 0.5 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio daily 0.75 2023-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611693780658-GOQG6OSBSR52SRDJSF2V/icon+group+3.png Irreverent Audio https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/featured-on-daring-to-tell monthly 0.5 2023-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611800990602-H50MNFG09PZWIRHVAW0R/Daring+to+Tell+1.png Irreverent Audio - Featured On: Daring to Tell https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/irreverent-audio-is-here-almost monthly 0.5 2022-02-23 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/advocating-for-an-end-to-life monthly 0.5 2022-08-02 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/advice-on-the-start-of-shit monthly 0.5 2022-02-23 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/baby-steps-at-the-start-of-shit monthly 0.5 2022-02-23 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/elder-end-of-life-fireworks-part-1 monthly 0.5 2022-02-23 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/elder-end-of-life-fireworks-part-2 monthly 0.5 2022-02-23 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/middle-of-shit-labor-days-of-love monthly 0.5 2022-02-23 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/end-of-shit-appreciating-our-elders monthly 0.5 2022-08-02 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/dr-claire-teaches-caregivers-to-chill monthly 0.5 2022-08-02 https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/hot-tips-from-howard monthly 0.5 2022-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1645637525790-F7KC4QMFEK6P5LMG812Q/Hot+Tip+from+Howard+the+Eldercare+Consultant.png Irreverent Audio - Hot Tips from Howard the Eldercare Consultant https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/12-years-of-eldercare monthly 0.5 2022-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1622549867939-SXV2GW7NVMJIRCVOST3K/IEI+podcast+Cover+Yellow+Red.jpg Irreverent Audio - Season 1 Finale: 12 Years of Eldercare https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/dishing-with-a-death-doula monthly 0.5 2022-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1646257274253-ZGI4AUN9W5E5JYI35J50/TIGO+Podcast+Thumbs.png Irreverent Audio - Dishing with a Death Doula https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/incensed-grandma-day monthly 0.5 2023-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/f0b8955e-15f2-484a-9df8-5f931e6214ce/TIGO+July+2022.png Irreverent Audio - Incensed Grandma Day https://this-is-getting-old.com/irreverent-audio/featured-on-daring-to-tell-again monthly 0.5 2023-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611800990602-H50MNFG09PZWIRHVAW0R/Daring+to+Tell+1.png Irreverent Audio - 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It was probably when a water-infused frayed lamp cord lit a fire in packing paper as I tried to salvage the possessions of another recently deceased octogenarian. Did I mention my toddler and incapacitated 250-pound father were sleeping upstairs? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609285602202-5ZI6URWUTSMN0J54IXW4/Untitled_Artwork+%285%29.png Origin Story Mine was when my parents’ kitchen ceiling was moving … because moth maggots had spawned from rancid nuts stored on top of their fridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609285629673-AKJ9MMCG08NB6APR7BKG/Untitled_Artwork+%286%29.png Origin Story No, wait. Maybe it was when the sump pump failed and flooded their basement with four feet of water. (Correction: MY basement. I had assumed the mortgage to support them.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1607017715688-PU8Q48ST2DZHBR2BEKUN/Black+Asterisks.png Origin Story https://this-is-getting-old.com/street-cred daily 0.75 2022-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625754170299-VFLLQDZCV9TY7A8TN0K8/TIGO+Testimonial+General+Movie+Poster.png Street Cred - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/22d35089-eeb8-4e4b-a4dc-f7998287f9c2/Pet+Doula+image+for+res+and+docs.png Street Cred - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/520ad686-ad52-460e-9ae3-ab74d3406c1f/End+of+Life+certif+for+res+and+docs.png Street Cred - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/404-error daily 0.75 2020-11-13 https://this-is-getting-old.com/broken-filter daily 0.75 2021-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609288886533-DZMN658AK6B7L0B7LCGZ/Fairy+Tales+of+Death+Cover.jpg Broken Filter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609288897692-8HN0LU5XLPPFNIBGYN8E/Fairy+Tales+of+Death+Title+Page.jpg Broken Filter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609288903615-E30UCYKAX9I96J6VZFWT/Fairy+Tales+of+Death+Page+1.jpg Broken Filter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609288909727-GZSOVABIMV6T8SLZ5RHM/Fairy+Tales+of+Death+Page+2.jpg Broken Filter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609288920104-VFKNCS7E3L8BO65IF9LK/Fairy+Tales+of+Death+Page+3.jpg Broken Filter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1609288927337-SUYRDPGZYZ0P6P8W9C4R/Fairy+Tales+of+Death+Page+4.jpg Broken Filter https://this-is-getting-old.com/submit-resource daily 0.75 2021-02-15 https://this-is-getting-old.com/need-a-laugh daily 0.75 2022-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png Need to Have a Laugh - These next offerings are also off-topic, but like Allie Brosh’s gem earn a place on this page for both image and word mirth. I can’t remember when I first came across Amber Dusick’s (original) Parenting with Crappy Pictures blog, though I can safely assume it was during my son’s first five years based on how much I LOL’d in recognition of her daily family experiences. Dusick’s “surprise” success led to the books below, and a rebranding of the site, which I returned to for inspiration when making my own unskillful images. I appreciate that she is constantly re-inventing and re-inspiring herself, which I find myself having to do a lot in life, and especially during the eldercare years. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611249347684-VS4B32ULI9WFIWZLPMNM/Stiff.jpg Need to Have a Laugh - By comparison, the cover of my next favorite irreverent read leaves absolutely no room for doubt that it is about death. Mary Roach’s Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers proved a soothing (em)balm for understanding what was happening to Dad after, per his long-desired wish, his body was donated to a local medical college via their Anatomical Gift Program. From the very first sentence Mary Roach exhibits her talent for taking a tough subject and making it both accessible and entertaining: “The human head is of the same approximate size and weight as a roaster chicken.” I’ll admit I stopped reading when, halfway through, she describes the use of cadavers to assess the wreckage of human tragedy (think airplanes falling from the sky). But when I picked it back up recently to test my affinity, I practically dog-eared every page in the first three chapters (“A Head is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” “Crimes of Anatomy,” and “Life After Death”). Leave it on your coffee table if you want to spur some discussion! Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611249062562-YXVF39R6ZTP1841GV8E2/Hyperbole.jpg Need to Have a Laugh - While Allie Brosh’s Hyperbole and a Half is not about elders or death, there is something so cathartic about reading stories of another’s chaos when you’re going through your own. Even without the text, as avid fans and related tchotchke will attest, her drawings are iconic. My son pored over this book so much since the age of five the pages are falling out, making me deeply appreciative of the book designer’s decision to color-code the sections so I know what goes together. A special shout-out to The Open Door bookstore, and the sweet and knowledgeable young staff member working the floor circa 2015 when bleary-eyed me walked in and said, “Give me something that will make me laugh.” Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611249453397-5FQ1ZLNL49BZUYBD88RI/9781632861016.jpg Need to Have a Laugh - I can’t help but write about all the books I have been carrying around in my bag-of-death for the past year, both for reference and recommendation to others. All New Yorker readers will be familiar with Roz Chast’s artistry, which she creatively applies in memoir form to tell the experience of being an only child managing the end-of-life issues of two aging parents. While the title and form are funny, the content is an intimate and eye-opening preview of what many of you may go through. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611712735112-2N36HFQ9XNSCB2Y6MR22/718DZJhj%2B6L.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611712574493-KSS3RW87VVJZIDJHEMY3/9781472007780.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1613426576866-8YCXZ76P56XSROSKD2J5/bryson+body.jpg Need to Have a Laugh - While I admit to not yet reading this book, it is a no-brainer to put anything by Bill Bryson in my “favorites” section. This guy could write about dirt and I would find it humorous and engaging. And as to this particular topic: I figured what better way to honor the end-of-life process than by taking a pause and appreciating the shell we will all shed someday. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611437989691-7LZVG3QFYN7XSM4TPX8K/Smoke.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611437819385-ET4H9YDLTRTPFXRFPF07/61mxHaDaTHL.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png Need to Have a Laugh - Ok, full disclosure, I think I have a crush on Caitlin Doughty, but not the romantical kind. The kind that occurs when you’re at your most vulnerable (adolescence) and some girl passes you in the hall and you suddenly realize she has already learned things you have never heard of. Like self-assurance. And style. And hair products. And makeup. And where to buy all-black clothes. When I first came upon Doughty’s The Order of the Good Death site (see in the Start-of-Sh*t section) I kept looking away and closing it, as if I’d stumbled on a link that had somehow blown through my parents’ internet-restrictions setting. Like it was a hoax, or a cult, or a scam. But the more I dug in the more I recognized that familiar feeling, affirmed by my inner voice: “She’s too COOL for you.” And while I still think that’s true, it doesn’t mean we can’t admire her from afar, like an anguished 80s Rom-Com heroine. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1632862200990-L55S0556JUMRCZQI4B0G/81Uj4pa1QiL.jpg Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632659069-3SE73K3IUAZA063DUMCD/Untitled_Artwork+%2810%29+copy.png Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png Need to Have a Laugh - You know how when you have had a certain life experience — or are going through one — all of a sudden the universe is raining with kismet-related things? I can’t recall how I came across this podcast, but it was immediately apparent it would fit in this section. I haven’t even listened to it yet, and only read the NPR article when writing up this description, but it was like looking in the mirror (especially the part about the box of white wine). Let me know what you think! Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/0b6e2c5a-8a43-48d2-a7a0-32278fc93827/Screen+Shot+2022-07-13+at+1.51.32+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1620425997336-3KORGQC9S2PLXX5NLG8B/26870_1_640px.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1627749893302-3PQQ2EKQ22BLIPZ0VKIJ/511G2H5ig-L._AC_SL1500_.jpg Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/dfd550f5-47e3-4eb8-90df-b8df32bef946/Screen+Shot+2022-03-08+at+10.14.20+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630539523584-FR9L7HGF99NZ3XVUFCM2/maxresdefault.jpg Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1632862814036-H0T7MBZQTF1GXBMDVJ8F/1624621157-319769-michelle-marin-wildflowers-at-dawn-2020-detail-2j.jpeg Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/3588f60d-cdf2-43f4-a085-94d50c5e2a20/Screen+Shot+2022-07-13+at+1.48.16+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/b7aa5297-0b91-4968-8d0a-fe9f6db1dca1/Screen+Shot+2022-03-08+at+10.04.10+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1620426556517-LR8F9HPHT4ZZ7WJAGPU9/819odNXa0sL.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/c5f62e0f-b1aa-4824-9e94-ecdd86956cb9/Screen+Shot+2022-03-08+at+10.04.51+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/0a0e601e-1b6b-43b2-8743-2cb19c5c1d57/Screen+Shot+2022-07-13+at+1.44.49+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1620426392340-NJXQKEZ9U624NJTSG3EV/52493_3_640px.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/9f11d3d5-6e47-41a7-ab3b-9b27fa573215/Screen+Shot+2022-07-13+at+1.38.55+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1620426246219-KPB5LQ4H8NNETQQ9FTGY/48668_1_640px.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1616180436007-U6DRSEDK1HR3UTWGMQXF/812XlljdQVL.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1615472859097-CXTVVES730X9KN4PKFII/golden+girls+crochet.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1615473072050-57U3BKU67185PTY3KQR6/golden+girls+cross.jpg Need to Have a Laugh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/50a71ea0-16b1-4a66-b5ce-bf3723b461e4/Screen+Shot+2022-03-08+at+10.15.46+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/490ae727-df1a-404d-afbd-13e141a96f9d/Screen+Shot+2022-03-08+at+10.05.20+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/b9c0f3c9-ac76-4f6a-a0de-36e6987adbdb/Screen+Shot+2022-03-08+at+10.05.48+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/cefab83d-8fae-428f-8953-4e8ac62b7d57/Screen+Shot+2022-07-13+at+1.41.36+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/6e2ad957-a009-4f55-b260-a984450dfee4/Screen+Shot+2022-07-13+at+1.34.51+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/b4ff9b93-8ee2-42bb-b141-1bc03a9b64bc/Screen+Shot+2022-03-12+at+1.13.28+PM.png Need to Have a Laugh https://this-is-getting-old.com/help-me-help-you daily 0.75 2021-03-04 https://this-is-getting-old.com/start-here daily 0.75 2022-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611713292319-6DC2VS5YJM74PCHKKR0E/icon+group+5.png Start Here - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611436566605-WLQGMOBSJ7RBP412VOCU/Untitled_Artwork+%2819%29.png Start Here - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632659069-3SE73K3IUAZA063DUMCD/Untitled_Artwork+%2810%29+copy.png Start Here - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632427716-ELQTFOX0NKHN7VETZLXR/Untitled_Artwork+%2816%29.png Start Here - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1632861624613-KTT539QXFNBAPSUCRZFJ/reaper.png Start Here - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611693780658-GOQG6OSBSR52SRDJSF2V/icon+group+3.png Start Here - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/click-here daily 0.75 2022-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611693780658-GOQG6OSBSR52SRDJSF2V/icon+group+3.png Click Here - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-start-of-shit daily 0.75 2022-11-16 https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-start-of-shit/shit-you-need-to-know-now monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1626219643258-3P9VG0XE6KBXXHQ773HT/mug+red.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW (about your elder) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632190418-41B0AW8QX1MG3QJFY7ZF/Untitled_Artwork+%288%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW (about your elder) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611443866319-QFAYPKYIJQEX0JMWNPT6/Untitled_Artwork+%287%29+copy.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW (about your elder) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611443639915-X2LZGDQ3XKYVK5RBNRV6/Untitled_Artwork+%289%29+copy.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW (about your elder) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625687791622-RPJJGZY9FQBHRJ7TBP2V/rainbow+paw.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW (about your elder) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW (about your elder) - I can’t remember how I found the resource below (“Paying for Senior Care”), but I have to say it’s pretty legit. Meaning, it’s not selling consulting services, not making commission of purchases, and when I filled out the tool using my mother’s situation, it immediately pointed me to the local resources I would expect. The con, as with all such sites, is it’s completely overwhelming. I guess the pro is that actually accurately reflects the experience of the elder caregiver. I have a lot to say on the topic of broke elders and how not to sacrifice yourself to that situation. Stay tuned for more resources and lots of blogs. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611288260052-T6WLVJKUNI7ZVYE3AGLZ/Untitled_Artwork+%284%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW (about your elder) https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-start-of-shit/shit-you-need-to-do-now monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (with your elder) - Major credit goes to my website developer, Elizabeth, for her insatiable curiosity and willingness to deliver above and beyond on behalf of her clients’ topics. Of all the curated death sites out there, this one she found is DEFINITELY the easiest on the eyes, and their mission is born out of a very meaningful place. I have deep appreciation for, and recent experience with, the co-founder’s observation that our healthcare system requires patient families to be “extremely proactive advocates” AGAINST an onslaught of medical interventions. And I am impressed with their development of a Trusted Decision Maker Form in the face of Covid-19, not to mention their Planning Tool. Although the site promises — as with other well-meaning online resources, including my own — to overwhelm the novice elder caregiver with the breadth and depth of content, the clean home page categories give you a fighting chance to find what you’re looking for. To short-cut your experience, I culled some key content below for the Start-of-Sh*t. Between Atul, Ellen, and now Cake … I am feeling pretty darn Boston Proud! Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630541017198-OMDEIZRNKT9C43CXQPVK/Untitled_Artwork+%2812%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (with your elder) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1626219863655-L299MJS52TU1RB1GEJMW/bingo.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (with your elder) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (with your elder) - Check out this genius solution! “‘Resuscitation is the only medical procedure routinely done without permission, so [a DNR] has to be accessible,’ said Florian who has one 93-year-old client who actually got a chest tattoo of ‘DNR/DNI’ to ensure medical personnel are aware of her wishes.” Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630540944878-5DX9KS7PLUHF7VB81IED/Untitled_Artwork+%2811%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (with your elder) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1610581091036-DZJA732NSFNPLPP2GJD1/Untitled_Artwork+%2810%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (with your elder) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (with your elder) - Ok, so, there is OBVIOUSLY a sh*t ton more info related to this moment, but since those of you at the Start-of-Sh*t are potentially freaking out about what’s to come … and not ready to face the mortality of your elder … and firmly embracing euphemisms … I’m just going to go easy on you and tell you to browse the End-of-Sh*t section when you’re ready for fun facts about what to do with them when they’re … “gone.” Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-start-of-shit/shit-you-need-to-do-now-yourself monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632038484-V5L8N6JE3TVGEPY0GVTY/Untitled_Artwork+%289%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1610569993035-AVSOEKNYL4EJMTK4TBAX/Rachel+%283%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - I found it hilarious that the next two books were tucked amid the tchotchke of a Christmas catalog I received, along with the “jewelry urn” I got for my Uncle’s widow. Do I have death-dar or are you all spotting this sh*t too …?! Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1616180635374-A8TL5FWCMNORABK86HKF/book%2Bhit%2Bby%2Ba%2Bbus.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1610570261385-M8UZTQN7JRSS6LS3RKYZ/Death+Cleaning.jpg At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - Ok, between the Marie Kondo “spark joy” movement and the omnipresent hygge craze that has made all things Nordic super hip these days, this book is having its moment in the sun for its starkly stated practicality, and simple Swedish cover art. (Having married into a VERY proud Swedish family, I have an affinity for both.) I can already tell one of my favorite Irreverent Insights will be about the types of things the author highly recommends you purge before you kick it. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1615932909909-54UWFR0OTN3AVOXTXYUA/Untitled_Artwork+%285%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - I have been death cleaning for about five years. Yes, it can take that long. I now have three boxes of memorabilia and two boxes of paperwork. I will leave those for another year and then have another go. During this process I discovered a lot about myself — primarily who and what is important to me. One other side effect includes nothing in the basement, three completely empty closets with NO desire to fill them AND nothing stored under the beds. Of the closets that have sh*t in them, it is now much easier to find stuff you do need! However, let's not forget to do the things you can do now to facilitate estate closure for your Executor — all the legal documents that allow your Executor to become you! — Sh*t S*bling review by Stephanie R. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611440910467-CGLP9ZCZFKRZB4USS3GV/Untitled_Artwork+%2814%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632427716-ELQTFOX0NKHN7VETZLXR/Untitled_Artwork+%2816%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1632861624613-KTT539QXFNBAPSUCRZFJ/reaper.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - Shout out to my website designer Elizabeth for this find! Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1632861663902-MKGQTKYX2DXV0LKDVFSM/Untitled_Artwork+%2814%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1626220241456-D6IKBW5ES28ZFKOI76F7/22243_1_640px.jpg At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO DO NOW (for yourself) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-start-of-shit/shit-you-need-to-talk-about-now monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611442218747-4LS1PDDUETDC5K0X0YVS/718pVHqUk5L.jpg At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT NOW https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1632862446378-1FUP1NMKLLBQ5J3MD2HU/Untitled_Artwork+%2810%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT NOW - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632427716-ELQTFOX0NKHN7VETZLXR/Untitled_Artwork+%2816%29.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT NOW - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1632861624613-KTT539QXFNBAPSUCRZFJ/reaper.png At the Start of Sh*t - SH*T YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT NOW - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/in-the-middle-of-shit daily 0.75 2022-11-16 https://this-is-getting-old.com/in-the-middle-of-shit/shitty-stuff-that-happens monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1614656908747-DH91JNZ9PF7MZOCRQ7TL/olivia6.jpg In the Middle of Sh*t - SH*TTY STUFF THAT HAPPENS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - SH*TTY STUFF THAT HAPPENS - I am proud to call fellow writer Robyn Passow Fisher a friend. She is someone who knows intimately the pilgrimage that is caretaking a spouse through dementia, and the all-encompassing process that is rebuilding after they are gone. Anyone seeking the empathy of a fellow traveler on this tragic and moving journey should experience her site, and be aware of the book she has written and is working to put out into the world. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611194330263-X71OXASI7EO1OG1AZ52G/9781400217830.jpg In the Middle of Sh*t - SH*TTY STUFF THAT HAPPENS https://this-is-getting-old.com/in-the-middle-of-shit/getting-help-with-shit monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632038484-V5L8N6JE3TVGEPY0GVTY/Untitled_Artwork+%289%29.png In the Middle of Sh*t - GETTING HELP WITH SH*T https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - GETTING HELP WITH SH*T - Very rarely will your elder just drop dead quickly (the lucky ones) … or pass peacefully in hospice surrounded by family and friends (the luckiest ones) … or Pass Go efficiently on the way from their own home to a beautiful and affordable rest home or nursing home that you and they feel absolutely FANTASTIC about. Instead, there is usually a long, laborious and multi-stage physical, mental, and emotional decay that leaves everyone feeling depleted and depressed, especially when caregivers are at a distance. If you, like I did, find yourself facing such a moment, these two programs are INVALUABLE for steadying the ship while you figure out your new normal. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - GETTING HELP WITH SH*T - Sometimes “home care” means taking care of getting elders out of their home. When I had to move my parents from the house they’d been in for 30 years into two separate apartments in two separate states (see: Origin Story), the local Junk King franchise made an otherwise emotional and overwhelming process unbeLIEVably thoughtful and easy. Facing the debris of what was left behind, I rolled up my sleeves to organize items into garbage vs. donate vs. recycle in adherence with Junk King’s thoughtful “eco-friendly” model. The owner stopped me short, saying, “That’s what WE do.” I could have kissed him. Within hours the house was empty and ready to hand over to the flipper who would breathe new life into it for a future family. After my husband’s father died in CT, we tried to repeat the same experience with a national removal vendor by another name. The experience was dismal. We watched in shock as they destroyed perfectly good furniture and hauled everything straight to the landfill. When I looked up Junk King for this post I was not surprised to learn they’re based out of San Fran. If only all businesses were so thoughtful about “a better tomorrow.” Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://this-is-getting-old.com/in-the-middle-of-shit/when-you-shit-your-limit monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632190418-41B0AW8QX1MG3QJFY7ZF/Untitled_Artwork+%288%29.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHEN YOU SH*T YOUR LIMIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHEN YOU SH*T YOUR LIMIT - When I was in the Middle-of-Sh*t I once got massages twice in one week, to no effect. The second massage therapist said, “Your pain is not muscular!” and referred me to an acupuncturist. That was some of the best advice I ever received. Turns out when you’re always in fight-and-flight mode, your body has some pretty messed up Qi (Chi to us amateurs). And if you— like countless sandwich generation caregivers — are squeezed daily between work and family and eldercare obligations, you will look forward to the next needle prick if only to have 60 whole amazing minutes in a warm, comforting, soothing space all to your very self. Ten years later I still go to my acupuncturist, Claire McManus M.Ac. Lic.AC., who I consider not just an amazing body / mind healer, but also a very good — and hilarious! — friend. Where I used to cry immediately upon arrival, we now laugh our way through our time together. Go get yourself a Claire. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630541017198-OMDEIZRNKT9C43CXQPVK/Untitled_Artwork+%2812%29.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHEN YOU SH*T YOUR LIMIT - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHEN YOU SH*T YOUR LIMIT - If you’re looking for more formal practice and a source of community support, be sure to poke around the NY Zen Center site (a shout-out to my aforementioned acupuncturist for turning me on to this resource!). Even if all you do as a first step is allow yourself a few minutes to read the words and absorb the images, I assure you, you will feel calmer. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1620426392340-NJXQKEZ9U624NJTSG3EV/52493_3_640px.jpg In the Middle of Sh*t - WHEN YOU SH*T YOUR LIMIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1620426246219-KPB5LQ4H8NNETQQ9FTGY/48668_1_640px.jpg In the Middle of Sh*t - WHEN YOU SH*T YOUR LIMIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHEN YOU SH*T YOUR LIMIT - When I am in the throes of the physical, emotional, and existential exhaustion of caregiver burnout I feel like I am swimming underwater. My temperamental sacrum and sciatica want me to move more often than I succumb to comfort food ... my wrinkled face is longing for laughter instead of furrowed brows and pursed lips … and my liver is begging for a break. It’s an added insult that elder events generally occur when the caregiver is middle-aged and already suffering the slings and arrows of general physical and mental decay, as well as hormone fluctuations that change the shape of the body to which you had finally reconciled yourself. But I’m here to tell you that if you DON’T make time for yourself in some small way, your suffering will be worse than it already is. My Little Helper came in the form of meditation apps. If you need to drown out the noise in your own head and knock yourself out when sleep is elusive, give them a try. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://this-is-getting-old.com/in-the-middle-of-shit/when-someones-dying monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1618583717335-HD51IZSVUNEDJ4KOK353/41MKBd1Z-NL._SX317_BO1%2C204%2C203%2C200_.jpg In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611589630470-HT8F5S6FCB6L4266OX4E/71G3q7d22YL.jpg In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632427716-ELQTFOX0NKHN7VETZLXR/Untitled_Artwork+%2816%29.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/6fb84705-95b0-4149-b3a4-f15c22add457/71gE2vpcvPL.jpg In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625687983038-CJJQ6TNT3I3H8TUJGT8I/watch.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING - Credit goes to my friend Celeste who, when describing what she wished she’d had when her mom died said to me, “If only there were the same support options for elder death that you have with the birth of a child.” Later that night on a whim I googled “death” + “midwife” and was floored to find out it’s a thing (which immediately became the first entry on my kick-the-Bucket List). Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625688162118-7S3JEY4OSDNDIB9P6PDU/flowers.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING - It feels a little funky to “review” a book about the most intimate detail of someone’s life, i.e. the end of it, while also knowing she is not around to correct any inaccuracies, or elaborate on her experience. That said, I am glad to recommend Cory Taylor’s Dying, A Memoir as an unflinching account of facing death, while contemplating cheating it. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625687983038-CJJQ6TNT3I3H8TUJGT8I/watch.png In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/75bc9333-15de-4d04-9c86-1a9969fd1c87/71bsM8F-U4L.jpg In the Middle of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE'S DYING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/in-the-middle-of-shit/coping-with-covid monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png In the Middle of Sh*t - COPING WITH COVID - I feel the need to address the global pandemic in the room. When I started creating this site, the audience I had in mind were caregivers who, like me, are managing the “normal” course of elder aging and end-of-life. In the meantime, a “new normal” unfolded (one of the buzz-words we all use now). If you’re enduring the suffering and tragedy of an elder infected with or lost to COVID-19 and feel I am remiss in offering resources, please know my experience is limited to moving my 86-year-old mother to a nearby rest home on March 1, 2020. Since then, Mom, my husband, myself and my son have spent the last 11 months hoping she (and we) will literally live to be together again. While there are now countless statistics and articles and commentary out there on COVID-19, I thought I would start by offering up my own go-to, thoughtful, thorough, and experienced experts on death. I welcome recommendations based on what you see here, or on anything else you found helpful. Yours in shock and sorrow, Irreverent Rachel https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-end-of-shit daily 0.75 2022-11-16 https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-end-of-shit/what-to-do-with-what-remains monthly 0.5 2021-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611592072538-HTKXBCWAV7CBTOLIE4UO/816vX5Nc4ML.jpg At the End of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT REMAINS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT REMAINS - The euphemisms run rampant when it comes to donating your body to science. There’s “whole body” (vs. organ) donation, “Willed Body Programs,” and, my favorite, “Anatomical Gift Programs,” among others. All my life my Dad talked about donating his body when he died. I am glad to report he got his wish and the result was not only everything he wanted, but one of the best after-life tasks my husband and I never had to handle. (And based on that experience, when our deaf dog died two months after Dad we donated HIS body to a local animal medical center.) In addition to advancing education, the other major bonus of body donation is eliminating the usual end-of-life costs. But! Non-buyers beware: the catch is that not all bodies will be accepted, so be sure to have a backup plan. If you want to read about what happens to some-body given in service of science, I highly recommend Mary Roach’s book Stiff. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611249347684-VS4B32ULI9WFIWZLPMNM/Stiff.jpg At the End of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT REMAINS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630541402410-LZL43662DBJAM78H907C/HAM152.jpg At the End of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT REMAINS - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632427716-ELQTFOX0NKHN7VETZLXR/Untitled_Artwork+%2816%29.png At the End of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT REMAINS - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT REMAINS - As an urn aficionado — did I tell you the one about the woodworkers who descended on me at a memorial to complain about the crap wooden urn the funeral home put their friend in?! — I fully appreciate the breadth of the urn “review” below. If you’re anti-Amazon, be aware that the affiliate links “urn” the Cake site commissions, but the article is worth a browse just to get a sense of all the options. I myself love that selections include jewelry urns (which I got for my Uncle’s widow), and I appreciate the tip to purchase the industry standard which holds 200 cubic inches of materials. That said, I personally prefer the One World Memorial site’s explicit translation which is helping me and Mom pick out her last-stop-pot we will put on her grand piano when she’s gone: “Capacity: Up to 220 cubic inches. Ideal for a body weight of up to 220 lbs prior to cremation.” Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625689876229-EK0UHO5NEXPX6ZY7RQ6I/flowers.png At the End of Sh*t - WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT REMAINS - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-end-of-shit/after-the-life monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - AFTER THE LIFE - Between the two of us, my husband and I managed two estates through probate, purged and sold three homes, and held five end-of-life events for elders. Here’s what I find interesting: Despite the fact that all these people were born in the 1930s and therefore into an American death culture that embraced caskets and cemetery plots — not to mention some of them practicing Catholics — none of them wanted a formal funeral, and all of them chose to be cremated. That means we also learned a LOT about how NOT to distribute ashes (more to come but here’s a hint, that stuff doesn’t integrate into land or water easily). I want to acknowledge that many cultures and religions dictate the rituals for someone who has died, so much of what is here pertains to those of us who are starting from scratch, and developing a point of view on what feels right for you and yours. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - AFTER THE LIFE - I have never forgotten this piece I heard on NPR fifteen years ago during one of my one-hour one-way work commutes. I was still a blissful six years away from appreciating the type of event to which it could be applied, but it gave me solace then, and still does now. Your truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - AFTER THE LIFE - Based on my own Executrix experience I have SO much to say about what to encourage your elders NOT to do before they die, and how to set up an executor for success (instead of, hypothetically of course, for years of lawsuit stress). More to come. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611593868550-BG5GT5LKUJT9PKSM4TBB/9781413324808.jpg At the End of Sh*t - AFTER THE LIFE https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-end-of-shit/grieving monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - (always last and never least) GRIEVING - I really loved and highly recommend Little Matches, which is about losing a daughter at age 33 to cystic fibrosis. The author, Maryanne O’Hara, lives in Boston and is now an End-of-Life Doula. Her late daughter, Caitlin, was influential in trying to save the Prouty Garden at Children’s Hospital. The book is mostly about all the strange coincidences and “signs” O’Hara received both before and after her daughter’s death, about her skepticism of such things, and her scientific research into questions about the afterlife and reincarnation. Here is a quote which comes as O’Hara is about to pass the 2nd year anniversary of her daughter’s death: “The timeline of grief is not linear, and I’m learning that my open-mindedness about grief’s persistence is valuable to others who are inclined to hide pain. But sharing is a balance, and I take care not to tip the balance over to my side. People ask how I am and I’ve taken to saying, in a normal voice, 'It’s just the hardest thing in the world, it’s daily suffering. Thank you so much for asking. It’s good to be able to share that.’ Then—silence for a bit before, ‘And how are you doing?’ More often than not, the asker shares something important, too, and there we are: connected.” — Sh*t S*bling review by Michelle R. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625689321344-E9Q8BF8A6DRVI0FWUXRI/54619016.jpg At the End of Sh*t - (always last and never least) GRIEVING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - (always last and never least) GRIEVING - When I started working on the vision for this site with my website developer, Elizabeth, she had just suffered the tragic loss of her brother. As we discussed my elder-centric lens, she wondered whether I wanted to make room for universal death experiences. In the same vein, a friend recently reached out for resources to support someone whose father had died suddenly and unexpectedly. While he was technically an “elder,” he was only 70 with no indication of health issues, so his death was shocking for the whole family. I immediately thought of the Good Grief page on Elizabeth’s site into which she channeled her anguish to “comfort those who have lost someone, and educate those who want to help them.” I offer her sincere end-of-life insights to you now. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1626218694029-O3MRTN7TGYKFL0CDNKPW/Screen+Shot+2021-07-13+at+7.24.10+PM.png At the End of Sh*t - (always last and never least) GRIEVING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630541584964-TI4P230TULF8G5Q0LCBX/Untitled_Artwork+%2814%29.png At the End of Sh*t - (always last and never least) GRIEVING - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - (always last and never least) GRIEVING - I am proud to call fellow writer Peg Conway a friend. Peg uses her writing to help herself and others process the unique grief that is mother loss, and has a forthcoming memoir on the topic. Peg lost her mother when she was only seven, yet when I recently witnessed the experience of my Middle-of-Shit-mentioned friend, Celeste, mourning her elder mother, I suddenly understood why there is so much written on this topic. Many thanks to Celeste for recommending the article and associated books (below) that helped her integrate the unfathomable. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611711999635-8P72NFQYAOBKR1BEBEZH/9781580056878.jpg At the End of Sh*t - (always last and never least) GRIEVING https://this-is-getting-old.com/at-the-end-of-shit/pet-section monthly 0.5 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - THE PET SECTION - When I listen to the stories of the pets my parents had as kids, and then when my sister and I were young, I can see the shift from expendable commodity to family member. To be clear, both my parents were /are animal lovers (see: racoons living in our ceiling, house mice allowed to graze the cookie drawer, and the annual event of my father taking me to pick corn for our spoiled backyard squirrels), but the infatuation with and investment in domesticated animals is definitely a modern phenomenon. As a result, all the same end-of-life stuff applies here as with humans, it just depends on the level to which you want to formally engage in the options. For our part, my husband and I have made a habit of sending our pets over the rainbow bridge at home, in one case donating a dog body to the local animal medical center, and in all cases cremating their remains. We have yet to conduct a formal event after each death which I think might be warranted, since we have five boxes of pet remains piled up in the basement. Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611587210687-RKB7UHQDA740CLIE8GD5/Untitled_Artwork+%2811%29+copy.png At the End of Sh*t - THE PET SECTION - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611632427716-ELQTFOX0NKHN7VETZLXR/Untitled_Artwork+%2816%29.png At the End of Sh*t - THE PET SECTION https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611333114851-74W6WNWA8DKEDB79BBGN/Face+for+Comment+Boxes+Larger.png At the End of Sh*t - THE PET SECTION - As I mentioned, we chose to donate one of our dog’s bodies to a local animal medical center to support veterinarian learning and practice, and per the article below, many veterinary colleges have programs to support the same. Here’s a twist: In Denmark, the Copenhagen Zoo created a frenzy of demand for donating dead horses to feed its meat-eating residents. (As a life-long equine-obsessed rider who almost found this out the hard way when peering into their hyena enclosure, I owe my husband a debt of gratitude for shouting, “Don’t look!!” If you’ve seen The Godfather, enough said.) Yours truly, Irreverent Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1625687791622-RPJJGZY9FQBHRJ7TBP2V/rainbow+paw.png At the End of Sh*t - THE PET SECTION https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1630542890802-W0YLF9RUYOSBLZSB7Z0H/Untitled_Artwork+%2814%29.png At the End of Sh*t - THE PET SECTION - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5efb6a7caa21eb05a8ecea54/1611605140940-L7QAVKC66R9LZXL4G4O7/91PfWMLB5AL._AC_UL600_SR600%2C600_.jpg At the End of Sh*t - THE PET SECTION