An old trauma nurse, I’m familiar with the urgency instilled into the “Golden Hour“ - the sixty minutes that immediately follow a traumatic injury. When appropriate treatment is provided within this critical time frame, patients usually have better outcomes overall.

Along those same lines, in my years as both a hospice nurse and family caregiver, I’ve seen the significant difference in quality of life individuals often experience during what I refer to as the Golden Season at end of life. ...

“I have an idea,” I said to my mom. “Let’s swap Bibles. You highlight verses in mine that are important to you, and I’ll do the same in yours.”

Since Mom loved to spend time in the Word, had spent 20 years as a teacher, was always up for an adventure, and knew what I was trying to create, she jumped in with both feet.

I can’t begin to express what it means to be able to read those highlights now. While everything she highlighted in her own Bible is a treasure, those highlights in mine feel like...

I’m both a former hospice nurse and a former family caregiver, so raising awareness about the benefits of hospice and palliative care is a passion of mine — which is why I continue to write and share about these topics in a variety of ways.

When my mom’s health started a steep decline toward the end of her life, hospice wasn’t yet an option for a variety of reasons. Though I was able to provide most of her care, she still needed to see a doctor on a regular basis. With her mobility a growing...