Full Circle: A Conversation about Dying and Death

Why would anyone want to talk, read, or even think about death? Until coming face-to-face with the cold fact of mortality, there often isn’t much conversation about this taboo subject. When someone’s death does disrupt our expectations of living on into the future, the meanings we give to life come into focus.

Death is the great unknown. Dying, however, can be observed and discussed and reported on. Dying can be shared and comforted. Dying can be approached with intention and awareness, the idea being to fill the process with compassion and to live as fully as possible in the meantime.

Every living thing expires. While the cause of one’s death may be beyond control, how we think about dying and how we act in the face of death are up to us. We have choices. This conversation is meant to explore those choices from as many angles as possible. We invite you to join us in Full Circle.

Full Circle Blog

Being Mortal by Jim Gohlke

Personal Narrative
October 2, 2022

We all are mortal, a fact often hidden away in a closet in the back of our minds. Seldom do we confront the significance of… Read More »Being Mortal by Jim Gohlke

Last Flight Home: A Documentary

Film Review
September 22, 2022September 22, 2022

Eli Timoner became partially paralyzed at age 53 in a quirky accident that left him unable to walk and work and live what most of… Read More »Last Flight Home: A Documentary

Death Came Young by Michael Wallace

Personal Narrative
May 30, 2022

When my oldest grandson was 19, less than a year after his HS graduation, he was killed by a drunk driver speeding through a red… Read More »Death Came Young by Michael Wallace

Inevitability by Al Konigsberg

Personal Narrative
May 30, 2022May 30, 2022

When I became ill with leukemia 15 years ago, I took it very personally. Why did this happen to me? I had other plans for… Read More »Inevitability by Al Konigsberg

Listen Doc, I Think I’ll Choose the Latter

Personal Narrative
April 1, 2022

They called him Johnny Average, his stage persona. This British rocker could really charm the crowd at Woodstock’s favorite post-festival music venue, The Joyous Lake.… Read More »Listen Doc, I Think I’ll Choose the Latter

A “Free Kill”

Essay, Personal Narrative
March 1, 2022March 1, 2022

From Writer Ed McCann… Today is my sister Betty’s birthday; she would have turned 78, but died a preventable death in Florida this past summer,… Read More »A “Free Kill”

Two Poems Questioning the Nature of Grief

Poetry
February 19, 2022

Passage of Time by Vicki Stent Why does it seem so long ago that you were there to hug. Why does it seem just yesterday… Read More »Two Poems Questioning the Nature of Grief

Intro to Impermanence: Goodbyes by Seth David Branitz

Uncategorized
February 3, 2022February 3, 2022

My eldest son was with us for the difficult duty of ending our geriatric cat’s suffering. We joined in profound grief and love and stood… Read More »Intro to Impermanence: Goodbyes by Seth David Branitz

Endpaper: Saying Goodbye Long Distance to Someone Who’s Dying

Endpaper
February 27, 2021February 27, 2021

In the world before COVID 19, many of us envisioned or had the experience of saying goodbye in person to a dying loved. However, since the… Read More »Endpaper: Saying Goodbye Long Distance to Someone Who’s Dying

Why Deny Someone Comfort and Control at the End of Their Life? by Laura E. Kelly

Personal Narrative
February 17, 2021February 17, 2021

The first thing people would say upon meeting my father was, “Just how tall are you, anyway?” I suggested he hand out cards saying, “I’m… Read More »Why Deny Someone Comfort and Control at the End of Their Life? by Laura E. Kelly