Tag Archives: Death

A Prairie for Emily

A grieving father restores a prairie habitat in memory of a dead daughter

Lush prairie grasses sway in the breeze and the golden crowns of black-eyed Susans turn towards the summer sun. Emily’s Prairie runs along Salt Creek, behind the Rolling Meadows High School in the suburban town of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Once … Continue reading

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“I do not fear death. I resent it. Everything must die, apparently, and I am no exception. But I want to be consulted. You know what I mean? Death is impatient and thoughtless. It barges into your room when you are right in the middle of something, and it doesn’t bother to wipe its boots.”

- Tom Robbins
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“Death” by Rainer Maria Rilke

Rilke’s beautiful funeral poem perfectly captures how precious and valuable life is -- in both the good times and the bad -- with its personification of death

For many of us, the busyness of our daily lives often leads to us taking our lives for granted. When someone we loved dearly dies, our grief and sorrow for his or her absence tends to trigger an urge deep … Continue reading

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Last Rites: A Catholic Send-Off

A look at the religion's final prayer procession for the dying

Catholicism has never been number-shy in its teachings. Confess a sin? Ten Hail Marys. Looking to convert? Get ready for a slew of Sunday or Bible school classes, then 1. Baptism, 2. Confirmation, and 3. First Communion. If your list … Continue reading

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What Do Trees and Hospice Centers Have in Common? An Interview with David Anthony Hall

Photographer David Anthony Hall reflects on his work's unique relationship with hospice centers -- as it turns out, we can learn a lot about death from a woodland outing

SevenPonds speaks with the Dublin-born, UK-based photographer David Anthony Hall. David’s work inspires its viewer to reflect upon his or her relationship with the natural world, and his sprawling photographs of woodlands have been recognized worldwide. But amongst his proudest … Continue reading

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Still Alice (2014) by Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer

One woman’s life turns upside down with the diagnosis and progression of her early-onset Alzheimer's

Still Alice is one of those essential movies, an instant classic that has an effect on all of its viewers, regardless of their backgrounds. Alzheimer’s and dementia are growing illnesses that have a growing effect on all of us as … Continue reading

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