Tag Archives: griefeducation

The Mary Mac Show | Considering End of Life Choices

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 138, we discuss the courageous act of developing an end-of-life plan for what we would like to happen should we become ill, unable to care for ourselves, or die and the decisions that need to be made so our families know of our desires.

It is not easy to speak with our loved ones about death and dying.

It can be even harder when we need to speak about the specifics of what each individual wants for their end-of-life choices.

Often times, it can be something sudden and dramatic that has taken place which makes us realize now is the time.

But please be wise and not wait until it’s so late that you don’t know what their wishes are.

Perhaps an serious diagnosis or accident wakes us up.

Yet I encourage you to do is draw up the courage and speak about it now.

Would they want to be resusitated if they were at death’s door?

Would they not want to be resusitated and allowed to die as natural a death as possible?

If they are in hospice, do they want to die at home or in the hospital?

Do they want to be cremated or buried and where?

Has a resting place already been chosen and paid for?

Do they want a wake and, if so, for how long?

Would they want a church funeral and, if so, where?

And have they developed a will? Who has possession of it and who has been named as an executor/executrix?

There are so many things that need to be considered for our end-of-life situation.

And the sooner they can be arranged and let others in the family know their wishes, the smoother their death will be for all concerned.

No, it is not easy getting these things in writing, but it is vital for a less drama-filled event after their death.

Gather your courage and have those conversations now.

Bless you!
xoxo

Additional Notes:

If you are ill or grieving a loved one’s death, take the time to research a hotline with trained counselors to speak with.

The very best individuals to connect with are those who are suffering your exact type of death. Go here.

The Mary Mac Show | Opening the Conversation About Death and Dying

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 137, we discuss the importance of speaking about death and dying long before imminent death is upon us, our relatives and other loved ones.

In this day and age, we have no idea when terminal illness and death will visit ourselves or our family.

It is true that if we didn’t have to deal with this, we wouldn’t.

It is uncomfortable.

But there are many family members whose deaths might be after a long illness, in the case of cancer or an immune disorder.

It might be from a tragic accident, or sudden illness such as a stroke or heart attack that ends their life.

Many people find it hard to talk about death and dying.

We’d rather leave it up to someone else.

But don’t let fear stop you from truly connecting with someone you love either long before their final days, or leading up to them.

Sometimes death comes very quickly and maybe even tragically and it would be sad if you hadn’t had a conversation around death long before it ever occurred in your relationship with them.

If you had this conversation when they were well, or when they were diagnosed with an illness, you would capture a very wonderful connection with them.

There would be no regrets.

You would have said all you’d like to say to someone who meant so much to you.

We don’t know what the future holds these days. Life is so fragile now and we are about to encounter a very difficult time in the world; very uncertain times.

Take the time to think about this.

If it’s too sensitive to speak all you want to say aloud, do so in writing.

Either way, your soul will be at peace and no matter what happens in the future, you are settled.

Personally, I am thinking about writing out letters to the most important people in my life to acknowledge those who have helped me, loved me and let them know how grateful I feel to have them in my life.

With all that’s happening in this world, we could leave this life in an instant.

Use the time you have to make a difference.

Loving you.
xoxo

Additional Notes:

If you are ill or grieving a loved one’s death, take the time to research a hotline with trained counselors to speak with.

The very best individuals to connect with are those who are suffering your exact type of death. Go here.

The Mary Mac Show Encore | Grieving a World We Once Knew II

The Mary Mac Show PodcastIn Episode 135 Part I of “Grieving a World We Once Knew” we discussed the uncertainties in our world, inflation, pandemic issues, and how we must reevaluate what is important to us and how to cope when we have little control over our new world.

When we are dealing with a loved one’s death, it is expected that we will experience various challenges to our physical health, mental health, financial health, spiritual health and intellectual health.

And now that we have the additional stress, anxiety and possible overwhelm with our society changing at such a rapid pace, it is that much more important that we look at how it is affecting us in addition to the grief we feel for our loved one.

Don’t take this lightly.

It is imperative that you care for yourself and your family during these times.

We unfortunately do not have the luxury of only considering our bereavement. We are now tasked with learning how to fully care for ourselves in many way.

Listen in to Part II in Episode 136, to learn how to better prepare yourself for the times ahead.

Please take time to share your experiences and comments below so others can learn from you.

Stay Strong and Bless you my friend.
xoxo

Additional Notes:

As you know I am a great believer in the power of the Emotional Freedom Technique.

Here are a few videos that I think will help you tremendously:
EFT Video for Grief after Death of a Loved One, EFT Video for Anxiety, EFT Video for Releasing Stress and Tension, and How to do Surrogate EFT.

Subscribe to Full Spectrum Survival, which gives important information on how to survive what we believe is up ahead for us. Learn as much as you can, as quickly as you can. And stock up on food, water and supplies.

If you need someone to chat with, don’t be shy. It’s totally confidential. Go to Crisis Connections page on my website MaryMac.info to find telephone numbers for Crisis Hotlines around the world.

As promised, here are some of the additional faith-based hotlines you can call for prayer and to calm you:

Trinity Broadcasting Network – TBN (714)731-1000
700 Club (800)759-0700
Joel Osteen Prayer Request (713)491-1283 or toll free at (888)567-5635
(I also enjoy Joel Osteen’s Daily Podcast)

If you need help finding people who will understand your exact pain, visit my Grief Resources page.

Visit GriefAuthority.com to purchase my Bundle of Hope Books which includes my book Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s death, the first and best book to reach for as you deal with your grief and How to Help a Grieving Child After a Loved One’s Death to help your surviving children.

You’re welcome to send your questions to the Contact page on my site.

You can obtain my free ebook entitled 21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process, available for immediate download right here on this site.

Please subscribe, rate and review on The Mary Mac Show website or Apple Podcasts!

Much Love,
xoxo

The Mary Mac Show Encore | Grieving a World We Once Knew I

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 135, I speak briefly about the grief we feel after the death of an individual and how that correlates to the grief we feel as a nation in light of all that is going on in our world today.

I first created this episode in the fall of 2020 and felt it was quite appropriate for all that is going on right now.

So much has happened in our world since then and life is getting more crazy with each passing day.

Oil prices have skyrocketed, inflation has caused food and products to sometimes double and even triple in price for less weight, energy prices to cool and heat our homes have increased, but wages have stayed stagnant.

The cost to own or rent a home or apartment is quickly pricing many out of shelter and with the increase in interest rates, those who once could obtain a mortgage can no longer do so.

People cannot afford to purchase a car or most large ticket items any longer and it is causing a serious struggle to just make ends meet.

And our ability to speak freely has been seriously curtailed in social media.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that life as we knew it before the pandemic will most likely never return again.

And with the United States government printing so much money it can’t pay back, it seems we are being pushed down an unnecessary road that leads to war with Russia and others.

None of this looks like it will end in the people’s favor.

People around the world know oppression and the inability to speak their mind. And, we too, are now having our free speech rights curtailed by those who wish to take our freedoms away.

I know people around the world who have lived in Socialist and Communist countries have experienced this grief – suppression of speech, personal freedoms and seen much violence leading to the death of family and friends.

Here, we are grieving for our nation as we are unaccustomed to having our liberties, property or lifestyle affected by those who don’t love our nation.

So if you’ve felt oppressed in your part of the world, you are welcomed to share your experiences and comments below.

With Love,

Mary Mac
xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Helping Children and Teens Cope with Grief

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 134, we discuss what children and teens experience when dealing with their grief after a loved one’s death and how to help them navigate through this pain.

Many adults believe that if we just put children and teens back into their regular routine, they will be fine.

But this is not the case.

Children and teens need to be supported emotionally, just as you do. They deal with all the pain and physical symptoms that you do.

They need our love, time and especially our attention and understanding as they move through their own grieving process.

Unfortunately, most adults don’t know what young people are going through after a loved one’s death, unless the adult had had this experience when they were young.

Adults are usually so focused on their own grief and the organization of a funeral as well as considering the finances of the household, that they don’t pay as close attention to the young people who look to them for comfort and guidance.

It is important for adults to spend more time with their children and even young adults because it may be the first time they have experience a death and they need our love and attention.

Young children don’t have the language skills to describe what they are feeling and teens, often, don’t want to express themselves.

Listen in to Episode 134 to learn more about how children and teens deal with such a painful time in their lives.

Much Love,
xoxo

Additional Notes:

Visit Crisis Connections at my website to telephone a trained counselor to speak with whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, confused, frightened, fearful or any host of emotions.

Learn the Emotional Freedom Technique here for Moving Forward in Grief. It will soothe you and calm you physically and emotionally.

You can watch Marissa Peer’s “I Am Enough” meditation.

Visit the author’s website for all books on The 5 Love Languages. Always best to purchase books directly from the author. They worked hard to write and publish these wonderful works!

Treat yourself to a lovely gift from our Heart of Gold “I Remember” Products from The Mary Mac Store.

Remember, a portion of all proceeds help fund The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death which I established many years ago.

And remember to pick up my free ebook 21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process, and you’ll automatically be signed up for my private email list so we can always stay in touch, since social media is no longer reliable.