Thanks to Dudley Thompson who loaned his copy to me, I just read Jessica Nutik Zitter's Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life. This medical doctor, now an "Intensivist," chronicles her journey through the technological fixes of keeping us alive at all costs to the recognition that death is not failure AND can be both planned for and better managed often.
As I read it I was reminded that my wife and I have Advance Directives in several locations. However, they ought to be updated-especially in regard to our health care proxies since we are no longer near those listed. Dr. Zitter admits that she has no Advance Directive (sometimes termed Living Will) because it feels so final to complete the form. True. But the consequences of having nothing on file, and even worse, no conversation about end of life matters with loved ones (as well as physicians and clergy) can make for challenging and stressful situations. I've seen them...
So, have the conversation, again, and make certain the forms are up to date. Take a copy to your doctor; take one to your church; and when you go to the hospital, even for outpatient surgery, take one along. They will ask.
Speaking of end-of-life realities, some souls think so highly of the church that they leave a bequest to their congregation, often undesignated (which is better, often, than designated for something the congregation doesn't prioritize, such as a statue of a favorite preacher). I remember with great fondness a woman who left several thousand dollars to the congregation I served in Oregon. Not only were we surprised but quite appreciative. Knowing her as I did, I knew she would much rather those funds go toward assisting ministry somewhere than beautifying the sanctuary. Since we were in partnership with a congregation in Gingoog City, Mindanao, we used those funds in conjunction with that partnership: we shipped school supplies and other resources, plus we contributed to the pastor's continuing education (she is now a bishop in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines). So, please consider a bequest to your congregation. One caveat: Be specific about the beneficiary. A sad story: I know a congregation which went through a lot of distress over a bequest. A member left $100,000 to The United Church of Christ, as the congregation was known in that community. However, did that person mean that congregation or the denomination? Specificity matters.
For today, tomorrow, and many more to come, stay healthy.
