I finished reading The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. Written by Bronnie Ware it is her memoir of a Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing. Looking for a job with meaning and no formal training or experience in anything, she found herself taking care of the dying. She sat by the bedside of those who did not have much time left on this earth. Providing care, compassion and love for those who were able to be at home and also a few in nursing homes.
The five regrets
- I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expecteded me to live~~this one being the most common.
- I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
- I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
- I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
- I wish I had let myself be happier.
I enjoyed reading this book as it made me think about how I am living my life and how I want to continue to live. I wasn’t able to pin down her world view regarding end of life issues as she seemed to be all over the place regarding who goes to heaven and how you get there. She talked about her faith, but faith in what or Whom? She also used meditation as a means to focus, but there is no mention of meditating on Scripture or looking to God for our identity. As she went through her own darkness and sadness, she didn’t look to a loving Heavenly Father who could help her in her darkest days, but focused inward on herself. She was able to come out of her depression and live again, but there is no mention of what or whom she is living.
She did an outstanding job taking care of those who only had days to live. Her love, understanding, compassion and helping those who were soon to depart were examples of how we can all do the same with our loved ones. I did enjoy reading this book, but to those who would read it, I would suggest it be read through the discerning eyes of Scripture.
