We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise.
Emily Dickinson
It could be suggested that the “good death” is falsely named in the field of thanatology and in the popular press. It implies an ideal state, one which of course, we cannot have. Never agonize over ideals when the problem is as urgent as death. Perhaps it should be renamed “the good-enough death,” one that is sufficient and satisfactory to both the dying person and the caregiver. It is the best that can be achieved at that time, in that place, by those people, with that problem, in their particular situation. Maya Angelou was right to say, “You did then what you knew how to do, and when you know better, you will do better.” Death and dying are extremely personal. Continue reading