As a local government department providing death certificates, the Register of Deeds sees the challenges people face when navigating end of life issues. Talking about death can be uncomfortable, but avoiding those conversations can cause harm and confusion down the road.
In the “Good Grief” podcast series, Jeff and Carly tackle this discomfort head-on by speaking unapologetically about issues of death and dying. Experts join us as guests to answer questions and share a wealth of knowledge with listeners. What was expected to be just a handful of episodes has morphed into over 30 interviews with community and faith leaders, caregivers, healthcare professionals, funeral directors, and so many more. As a local poet and author Catherine S. Buck writes within an untitled poem, "Too soon the years began to fly." We must have these conversations now before the years fly by and miss opportunities to inform our decisions regarding the end of life.
When time began to soften the features of your face
I gathered you up, brushing back your fine silver hair
And gently hummed a melody of decades past
In a blink of a moment, the gates of memory parted
and days of our youth came swiftly forward
Clasping hands with our older selves
We looked up at each other and smiled together
Isn’t it amazing, we agreed, that
With a song or a note
Our thoughts and feelings returned anew
And with that, we would talk into the night
Looking down at your tired, lined face
I remembered you as a young, handsome man
With your tie askew and rumpled hair
That crooked smile;
I lost my heart that dayFrom that second, we moved onward together
Living a brilliant life of warmth and passion
Too soon the years began to fly by
And twice my eyes lost sight
But you became my morning star
Creating light that allowed me to see beyond the empty dark
Finally, after many years of sunlit days I noticed that
Your light began to slowly dim
And age brought to us changes and signs of growing old
Over time I realized
Heartfelt memories no longer
Revealed what your faded blue eyes wanted to say
So much, so much
Slipping away like the forlorn thief in the night
And then you were gone
A candle blown out in the dark
Some curling smoke left in quiet night
Catherine S. Buck 11/06/21
Episodes highlight resources and important documents for our listeners. We hope you’ll join us in exploring these end-of-life issues and congratulate you on taking this meaningful step to be better prepared
"Good Grief" is available on all major podcast platforms, including:
