#coping-with-loss

#coping-with-loss

Gina was one of the golden girls of my circle-charming, smart, and seriously cool. As our other friends rode through their mid-20s on roller coasters of elation and despair, Gina maintained an almost daunting level of emotional perspective. She gave birth to a child who experienced cognitive impairments and cared for him without losing either her detachment or her sense of humor. She went through cancer surgery with her usual rueful grace.

Compared to other major life transitions-birth, marriage, retirement-we tend to be avoidant around death. Gently push back against end-of-life stigma and learn to offer support and comfort instead.