Saying Goodbye
![Saying Goodbye Saying Goodbye](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Dying%20With%20Ease%20Cover%20-%20Copy_w140_h140/Dying%20With%20Ease%20Cover%20-%20Copy_09150503.jpg)
Grandma's Porch
![Grandma's Porch Grandma's Porch](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Porch1_w140_h140/Porch1_06061023.jpg)
What a world, what a world!
![What a world, what a world! What a world, what a world!](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/WWW%20and%20Dorothy_w140_h140/WWW%20and%20Dorothy_01170624.jpg)
At the climax of the movie,we barely notice the witch's cry of desperation, so relieved are we at Dorothy's safety...
Dianne Feinstein and Jimmy Carter
![Dianne Feinstein and Jimmy Carter Dianne Feinstein and Jimmy Carter](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Dianne%20Feinstein_w140_h140/Dianne%20Feinstein_10140602.jpg)
Dianne Feinstein and Jimmy Carter: illustrations of sound end-of-life choices.
Faces of God in Cambodia
![Faces of God in Cambodia Faces of God in Cambodia](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Baby%20eyes_w140_h140/Baby%20eyes_06060732.jpg)
Serenity
![Serenity Serenity](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Serenity_w140_h140/Serenity_05180609.jpg)
Best Question
![Best Question Best Question](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Rick%20Jackson_w140_h140/Rick%20Jackson_04040615.jpg)
I was surprised by his unexpected question, though it was the best one anyone asked me.
Nobody's Child
![Nobody's Child Nobody's Child](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Mom_w140_h140/Mom_03200826.jpeg)
My mother once said that no matter how old you are when both your parents are dead, you become an orphan. That is me now.
Room In the Inn
![Room In the Inn Room In the Inn](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/4592FF38-1FBF-4437-A5FF-C24DF1F82965_w140_h140/4592FF38-1FBF-4437-A5FF-C24DF1F82965_12240704.jpeg)
Gratitude
![Gratitude Gratitude](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Just%20the%202%20of%20us%20-%20Copy_w140_h140/Just%20the%202%20of%20us%20-%20Copy_11230550.jpg)
Halloween
![Halloween Halloween](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Halloween3_w140_h140/Halloween3_10270945.jpg)
Costumed children, decorated houses, parties and candy, and getting frightened out of our wits; why do we like it so much?
The Old Ball Game
![The Old Ball Game The Old Ball Game](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Baseball%20-%20Photo%20by%20Jakob%20Rosen%20on%20Unsplash_w140_h140/Baseball%20-%20Photo%20by%20Jakob%20Rosen%20on%20Unsplash_09260735.jpg)
Ukraine & Things Worse than Death
![Ukraine & Things Worse than Death Ukraine & Things Worse than Death](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Ukraine%20War%20death_w140_h140/Ukraine%20War%20death_03190657.jpg)
As the personal stories of Ukrainian resolve demonstrate, there are things worse than death.
Palliative Care and Structure to the "Or"
![Palliative Care and Structure to the "Or" Palliative Care and Structure to the "Or"](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Medical%20care%20photo%20by%20National%20Cancer%20Institute%20on%20Unsplash_w140_h140/Medical%20care%20photo%20by%20National%20Cancer%20Institute%20on%20Unsplash_06220517.jpg)
If you are being asked to make a potentially life or death decision for someone you love, how can you do that without understanding the choices?
Jesus Wept
![Jesus Wept Jesus Wept](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Weeping%20statue%20Photo%20by%20Marek%20Studzinski%20on%20Unsplash_w140_h140/Weeping%20statue%20Photo%20by%20Marek%20Studzinski%20on%20Unsplash_01310923.jpg)
Jesus wept; this is the shortest verse in the Bible, but we often miss its significance.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
![Ding Dong the Witch is Dead Ding Dong the Witch is Dead](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Munchkin%20soldiers_w140_h140/Munchkin%20soldiers_01170622.jpg)
We sing along with the Munchkins as they celebrate their liberation: Ding dong, the witch is dead! But what exactly are we cheering for?
My Debt to Dr. Eric Cassell
Last week I learned of the death of a giant; the more the health care system pays attention to what he had to say, the better we all will be.
Proven Effective Spirituality: In 12 Simple Steps
![Proven Effective Spirituality: In 12 Simple Steps Proven Effective Spirituality: In 12 Simple Steps](images/jeffspiess/cache/images/jeffspiess/site/contents/proportion/Caring%20hands%20by%20sharon-mccutcheon%20on%20unsplash_w140_h140/Caring%20hands%20by%20sharon-mccutcheon%20on%20unsplash_03100427.jpg)