There’s a lot to do before you die.

My nine-year-old granddaughter casually asked me if I had a Will this weekend. We were out hiking and one minute we were identifying a woodpecker and the next minute we were talking about death. I love the ways kids can make those transitions so easily.

When I asked her more about her question, I discovered that she had been reading a book where two siblings had been orphaned and at the time of the parent’s death, there was no known Will. It was discovered years later.

It is an intriguing story line although it prompted some anxiety in her. It was a timely conversation and I don’t think I could have been better prepared to have it with her! I spent last week building a webpage for a new course I’m offering called, “A Year to Live.” Death was also on my mind.

I told her that roughly 1/3 of people have a Will (US and Canadian stats are quite similar.) I talked to her about the resistance many people have when it comes to planning for death. It usually plays out in procrastinating. And I told her about the course I am offering and why considering our mortality is so important. Here I was, literally being a crone in the woods, helping her understand a vital topic. It felt so good.

The course A Year to Live is based on the book of the same title by Stephen Levine. I mentioned, a few months ago, that I was considering putting it together and several of you responded that you were interested in doing this work.

This course is a year long. We will meet once a month and explore the spiritual and practical aspects of what we would do if we were given a diagnosis that we had one year to live. You will set intentions each month for the work you want to focus on.

I’m keeping this group small because I want us to have the flexibility to explore areas that come up that are significant for the group. I have a plan for each month but I also want to be flexible.

We will explore topics like facing our mortality/fear of dying, legacy work, forgiveness, unfinished business, gratitude, wills, memorials, epitaphs and more! Dealing with all of these topics will help you examine your priorities. It will also provide you with the freedom to live more fully now.

I’m excited about going on this journey with you. Check out the webpage and sign up sooner than later. It starts in April. If you have any questions, reach out.