WELCOME TO OUR BLOG
Welcome to the SevenPonds.com blog – a community-driven extension of SevenPonds.com! I hope you find comfort and community in the resources and stories featured here. I’m always happy to hear from readers and can be reached at suzette@sevenponds.com.
FEATURED
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Love, Loss, and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimer’s Differently: Photographs by Cathy Greenblat Challenge the Common Stereotypes of Alzheimer's and Dementia -
Helping Children Heal Through Art Therapy: Custom-made Stuffed Toys "Stuffies" Help Children Express Their Emotions -- and Bring Their Creations to Life. -
Film Review: The Tree of Life (2011): Hugely ambitious, and gorgeous, film which takes on no less than the meaning of life
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CATEGORIES
Author Archives: Liz Matsushita (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)
An Interview with Patricia Murphy
How the loss of two mothers inspired Josie’s Place, a center that helps grieving children, teens, and families
We interview Patricia Murphy, co-founder and director of Josie’s Place in San Francisco, which offers support to grieving children and their parents. Continue reading
Book Review: Die$mart, by Kathy Lane and Christine Hughes
11 common mistakes people make in after-death planning, and what you can do to avoid them
SevenPonds reviews Kathy Lane and Christine Hughes’ helpful planning guide Die$mart. Continue reading
Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau dead at 43
Authorities say cause of death was a gunshot wound, possibly self-inflicted
Junior Seau, a well-known retired NFL player who spent much of his career on the San Diego Chargers, was found dead today at his Oceanside, California home. Seau’s girlfriend, whose name is not currently being released, is the one who … Continue reading
Posted in Just Passed
Tagged Death, Gina Deboer, Junior Seau, Mary Nolan, NFL, Obituary, Pro Bowl, San Diego Chargers, Suicide
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An Interview with Andreas Jacob
"Digital death" and end-of-life planning in the 21st century
What happens to our email accounts, e-banking, Facebook pages when we die? Increasingly, information assets companies like DSwiss are providing an easy solution. Continue reading
Film Review: Garden State (2004)
Loss of mother leads to self-discovery in this quirky indie film
Garden State begins with protagonist Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) being informed via phone message that his paraplegic mother has died after a tragic bathtub accident. The death serves as a sort of trigger to the rest of the action: when … Continue reading
An Interview with Kate Munger
We discuss the Threshold Choir's mission to provide lovely, comforting songs to the ill and dying
Kate Munger founded the Threshold Choir in 2000 with the idea of creating a chorus of women’s voices that could provide soothing song at people’s bedsides. Today, she administers a large network of of choirs nationwide, from the Northeast to … Continue reading
Album Review: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)
As frontman Jeff Mangum makes his return, we take a look back at Neutral Milk Hotel's musical masterpiece about death
Jeff Mangum – singer, songwriter, auteur, recluse, and enigmatic frontman of late ‘90s indie outfit Neutral Milk Hotel – was inspired to write his magnum opus because of Anne Frank. At least, that’s the theory espoused by the (many) fans … Continue reading
An Interview with Marilyn Reiss-Carradero, Pt. 2
The continuation of our conversation on palliative care in the hospital and end-of-life planning
Liz: As a nurse, what kind of special perspective do you have on end-of-life in the hospital? Marilyn: Once you’re in the hospital, the nurse is going to become your best friend. Because we are so much more intimately involved … Continue reading
An Interview with Marilyn Reiss-Carradero, Pt. 1
An RN's perspective on end-of-life in the hospital: what changes need to be made?
Marilyn Reiss-Carradero, RN, BSN, CCRN, works at Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center in San Jose, CA, and advocates for change in palliative care and end-of-life practice. Here, she reflects on the day-to-day experiences in the hospital, the lack of … Continue reading
Film Review: The Tree of Life (2011)
Hugely ambitious, and gorgeous, film which takes on no less than the meaning of life
The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick’s fifth feature film, is as polarizing as it is experimental. The reclusive Malick has a reputation for creating a film entirely faithful to his original vision, sometimes to the chagrin of his producers who … Continue reading
An Interview with Jennifer Marsh
Opening up about hospice and the crisis of health care funding in America
Jennifer Marsh, LMFT, MS is Community Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Elizabeth Hospice, a private nonprofit in Escondido, CA. The Elizabeth Hospice provides hospice care and counseling to terminally ill individuals and their families, whether or not they can … Continue reading
Film Review: Up (2009)
How Pixar makes a floating house lead to a healing journey in one of the greatest animated love stories
Pixar (for those who are unaware) is that magical Emeryville-based animation company that can do no wrong (except, perhaps, for the Cars franchise; otherwise, their output is perfection). In 2009, Pixar released what may be its magnum opus to date: … Continue reading
Posted in Lending Insight
Tagged Film Review, Grief, Grief Loss and Bereavement, Healing, Losing a Partner, Love, Marriage, Pixar, Up
3 Comments
An Interview with Astrid Reichenbach
The Child Life Specialist opens up about supporting, counseling, and listening to children who face illness and end-of-life
Astrid Reichenbach, MA, CCLS, MFTI, is a certified Child Life Specialist working at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. She provides support for children at the hospital, whether they are long-term patients, one-time visitors, or the relative of another … Continue reading
Book Review: God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian by Kurt Vonnegut
Legendary author’s imaginary trips down the blue tunnel to heaven, part satire and part meditation on life, death, and morality
Though one of my favorite authors, Kurt Vonnegut is not the person I would turn to if I needed a burst of joyous inspiration, or even a lift after a bad day. After decades of story- and novel-writing on dystopian … Continue reading
Posted in Lending Insight
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An Interview with Rebecca Katz: Part Two
The conclusion of our interview with the food and nourishment expert
Last week, we published the first part of our interview with Rebecca Katz, chef, nutritionist, cookbook author, culinary translator and expert at cooking for people with cancer. Here, the conclusion of the interview. Liz: On your website, you have a … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Cancer, cancer patient, Cancer Treatment, Caregiving, Chemotherapy, Food, recipes
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An Interview with Rebecca Katz: Part One
Nationally-recognized food expert speaks about cancer and the power of nourishment
Rebecca Katz is a chef and nutritionist who specializes in cooking for cancer patients and survivors. She is Executive Chef at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s Food As Medicine and CancerGuides Professional Training Programs, and is visiting chef and nutrition … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Cancer, Cancer Treatment, Caregiving, Dealing with an Illness, Food, Health, Nourishment, Nutrition
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An Interview with Sandy Puc’
The president and co-founder of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep on the healing power of photography
In 2005, photographer Sandy Puc’ co-founded the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) with Cheryl Haggard. NILMDTS administers a network of thousands of volunteer photographers around the world who conduct free hospital and hospice portrait sessions of … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged babies, Grief, Healing, loss of child, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, photography
6 Comments
Film Review: The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Wes Anderson's tragicomic tale of three brothers dealing with grief and family dysfunction in India
Francis (Owen Wilson), Jack (Jason Schwartzman), and Peter (Adrien Brody) Whitman are brothers meeting on a train in India. They have not seen or spoken to each other in a year, since the day of their father’s funeral. When we … Continue reading
How to Help Someone Who is Grieving
SevenPonds suggests three tips to keep in mind
Experiencing a loss can profoundly affect a person, emotionally, mentally, and physically. If a family member or close friend has recently lost someone, it’s easy to feel helpless, and you may be uncertain how you should act around them. While … Continue reading
Posted in Something Special
Tagged Death, Grief, Grief Loss and Bereavement, Healing, helping loved ones grieve, Loss, Mental health
3 Comments
An Interview with Dr. Nader Shabahangi
The president and CEO of AgeSong Institute opens up about elder care and our fear of aging
Nader Shabahangi, Ph.D., is a licensed psychotherapist based in the Bay Area. Through his work at the AgeSong Institute and its elder communities, he has become an advocate for elders and for programs that provide more comprehensive elder care. His … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged AgeSong, Aging and Elder Care, anti-aging, elders, grandparents, Poetry, senior community, seniors
1 Comment