Dear Reader Column 12-07-16

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Dear Reader,

Years ago I trained and volunteered to visit people in the hospital who were terminally ill. The patients I visited would tell me they wished friends and family who came to visit wouldn't say things like, "You'll be up and around in no time." Those same friends and family would tell me, "I never know what to say."

Emails from readers...

"Please don't ignore me, you know who you are. I am probably guilty of the same thing. Recently I lost my beautiful daughter to breast cancer at the age of 46. She left behind a wonderful husband and two fantastic children who just had their world rocked. People ask, 'Are you okay?' I say, 'I will never be okay, but thank you for asking.'

But it's so sad when people ignore me. They're afraid to make me sad all over again. So when you are fortunate enough to see someone that is grieving, don't ignore them. Go up to them, and embrace them, you will probably give them the lift they need. I talk about my daughter like she's sitting right next to me. We can't change what happened, but you can help that grieving mom, dad, brother, sister. So to all you people out there who go in the other direction when you see me, please stop and give me a hug."--Sincerely, Carol H.

"Dear Suzanne, I have enjoyed reading with you for over a year now. Your book choices have gotten me hooked on new books by authors that I didn't know, and often purchased to continue to read (despite books that I need to read for two other book clubs!).

Recently you featured guest author Kerry Egan [who wrote about] her perspective of end of life experiences as a hospice chaplain. I was so inspired, I purchased her book, On Living and it gave me a new perspective on my mom's hospice experience. How easy it is to just 'be there' for her; to let go of worries and fears as she approaches death. It's not been easy to watch her decline over the past three years, but Kerry's piece gave me the strength to continue to support Mom, to continue to talk with her, even though she can no longer communicate with us. You'll never know how timely this one guest column has been for me, I thank you for continuing to give your readers so much to think about!"--Sincerely, Sue S.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: RIDING HIGH (Fiction) by Stacy Finz

Sharing the ranch doesn't mean Flynn and Gia have to get along, but riding together isn't the problem. It's the scorching chemistry they can't ignore. And if they figure out a way to add trust to the mix, they'll soon be sharing more than just a ranch.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on RIDING HIGH to read more and to email author Stacy Finz, you'll get a reply.

Comments

[Linda Freedman]

Dear Suzanne,

How timely this column is for me. I have just experienced the loss of a friend who was like the sister I never had. She was 64 years old and her death was sudden and unexpected. This is the first one in our tight group of friends to pass. I visited her nearly every week and we "solved the problems of the world" over coffee. We discussed books more than any other topic. She always said that Heaven had to have a soft chair and all the books she ever wanted to read, plus her cats who had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I miss her every day.

I am going to bake some of her favorite cookies for Christmas (moldy mice and 7 layer bars). She would approve!