Shining Moments: Finding Hope in Facing Death by Georgia Lang Weithe
I've read dozens of books on matters relating to end-of-life care. They've all been informative and insightful, but one that I finished recently impressed me in a way that most others don't.

Shining Moments: Finding Hope in Facing Death, by Wisconsin author Georgia Lang Weithe, is more than an intimate memoir gleaned from journal entries written during emotionally difficult times. It is a compelling story of a daughter totally unprepared to face her father's impending death, who, when confronted by the inevitable, "finds death can be both teacher and a friend, with many gifts to offer."

Refreshingly frank, yet also amazingly gentle, the author uses language that seems to flow straight from her heart to the heart of the reader. The "shining moments" are described by the author as bursts of inspiration that came to her while navigating the end-of-life journey with her father. Presented in italicized paragraphs interspersed throughout the narrative, the wisdom of these shining moments provides helpful guidance to the reader who struggles through similar circumstances.

"We take much for granted in life, because we assume there will always be another day to pay attention to the beauty around us, or to alter or elevate the quality of our relationships with those we love. The illusion that life on earth never ends allows us to pretend we can continue as we are forever. The gift that death has to offer is the awareness that all pleasure is finite, all beauty is transient, as well as the knowledge that we will not be here forever to work through our problems with others. Out of the awareness of the endings, we can create new beginnings."

Favorably reviewed by International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care (IAHPC), and several other experts in the field, Shining Moments has been cited as a valuable resource for friends and family members of those with life-limiting illnesses, and for hospice and other end-of-life care professionals who assist them.

I find Shining Moments worthy of high praise for both content and style. Compact and easy to read, this is a book that will surely help many "find hope in facing death." It can be purchased at Borders, Barnes & Noble, online at Amazon.com, or www.shiningmoments.net. In addition to her book, Georgia is offering workshops for caregivers and professionals-anyone working in the field of death and dying-where her perspective could be helpful. For details on workshops and more, email Georgia Weithe at shiningmomentsbook@gmail.com.