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November Musing from Rebecca Crichton: The Gifts of Clarity and Honesty

November marks the season when we are urged to think about gratitude and generosity in equal measure. It is also the season when we might feel a variety of emotions ranging from anticipation and excitement to sadness and loss.

During the many years I facilitated grief support groups, when November arrived, most of the groups were dedicated to ‘getting through the holidays.’ 

I recently attended a workshop to become an End-of-Life Doula with the Gentle Passage Doula Collective. Even though the approaches and much of the information were familiar to me, I found the in-person training reaffirming and informative, and appreciate the caring commitment of the members of this collective. 
 
Many people in Seattle knew Trudy James, longtime activist for end-of-life awareness and advocacy, who died on October 20. My essay – Breaking Taboos – shares more about Trudy. The film she produced, Speaking of Dying, grew out of Heartwork End-of-Life Planning Groups — “A Gift for Yourself and Your Loved Ones.” These workshops encourage people to think about their wishes and the importance of clarity about their needs as they age. Facilitators trained by Trudy are continuing her important work.
 
I’m proud and excited that my daughter Erika Crichton and I will be at Town Hall on November 18. We will share our perspectives on the importance of talking about aging and end-of- life choices with our families and others. Erika is a medical social worker with extensive experience working in the fields of aging, disability and dementia services, caregiver support and training, and hospice and palliative care. It’s wonderful to see the notice about us she put into her monthly newsletter!
 
We have also written an article for the next issue of 3rd Act Magazine, which will be published around Thanksgiving. In it, we converse about how to have difficult conversations between parents and adult children. (The same approach would be true with other important people in our lives!)
 
I feel gratitude for the web of friends, colleagues and my daughter that bolsters me and the work I do around aging and end-of-life.
 
As you can see from the events happening in our region for November, there are ample choices for learning and engagement and many opportunities to contribute to and receive the blessings of the season.
 
Wishing you gratitude and generosity in equal measure.
Rebecca

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NWCCA’s Collaboration with Town Hall

Here’s to the Future!
An Intergenerational Conversation about Aging with Erika Crichton and Rebecca Crichton
Monday, November 18, 7:30 PM, The Medhi Reading Room, Town Hall Seattle
1119 8th Avenue, Seattle
$10 – $35 sliding scale

Mother and daughter Rebecca and Erika Crichton discuss how Gen X and Boomer-aged people can learn more about one another by openly sharing perspectives on the joys and challenges of aging well in our modern world.

Click here for more details.

Food and Finality
Discussions facilitated by Rebecca Crichton around death and dying, grief and loss, discussions that honor and acknowledge the discomfort, judgments, confusion and other emotions that these topics can engender.
Rebecca creates and holds the space with the intention that everybody is included and feels safe.
Click here to learn more