Slow Dancing at Death’s Door

By Amy Baker

Helping Your Parents Through the Last Stages of Life

Here are some key points:

“…examine your own life, especially as it relates to your parents…. Honestly look at the forgiveness that needs to be given (even silently) and the acceptance that must be embraced. Do it before you assume the role of caretaker or find yourself standing in a funeral home.” (page 52)

“Even men and women of faith struggle with confusing emotions and hearing the Enemy’s lies over God’s loving voice. Good counseling combined with God’s infinite love can have a positive long-term effect [on difficult family relationships].” ( page 54)

“As my folks were settling into retirement and their growing personal health-care issues, times had changed…Their wills, drawn up many years before, were now woefully inadequate for their situation.” ( page 80)

“Preserving the past for the future is really about showing our children they’re part of a larger story of faith and glory, failure and redemption, history and hope.” ( page 176)

“Although her faith never looked quite like mine, although we disagreed on meaningless bits of theology and social issues, now we were both victors. My mother had her garments of white and was free from that which wreaked havoc on us all for years. I had the peace of knowing that all my prayers were answered for her to be at rest.” (page 202)

Excerpted from Slow Dancing At Death’s Door by Amy Baker.  Used by permission.