Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
- ISBN13: 9780553378764
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Five years after its first publication, with more than 150,000 copies in print, Final Gifts has become a classic. In this moving and compassionate book, hospice nurses Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley share their intimate experiences with patients at the end of life, drawn from more than twenty years experience tending the terminally ill.
Through their stories we come to appreciate the near-miraculous ways in which the dying communicate their needs, reveal their feelings, and even choreograph their own final moments; we also discover the gifts–of wisdom, faith, and love–that the dying leave for the living to share.
Filled with practical advice on responding to the requests of the dying and helping them prepare emotionally and spiritually for death, Final Gifts shows how we can help the dying person live fully to the very end
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
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Most of the other reviewers indicated how hopeful the book made them feel. I admit that it would make everyone feel good about death. However, Christians who may be thinking of buying this book for a loved one should be aware that this book strongly implies that it makes no difference what you believe… life after death is a wonderful experience for all. The book gives examples of atheists, Hindus and other non-Christians having Near Death Awareness experiences that are wonderful and loving. The danger in this is that a dying person would have no reason to come to Christ and be saved if he or she is led to believe that it makes no difference what one believes. I am commenting on this aspect of the book because I did not see that anyone else mentioned it and I think people should be aware of this before deciding whether to purchase the book.
Rating: 1 / 5
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
I recently read this book while providing in home hospice care to a dying relative. The book did identify, almost to an exact point, the symptoms which the relative I am caring for was experiencing. It falls short in its attempt to really explain WHY the person dying was experiencing the symptoms presented in the book. As a Christian believer, I found the book to be ver liberal in its presentation of what the author calls Near Death Awareness. The examples scatted throughout the book are from all walks of life and all religious backgrounds, and as such there is a common thread offered here: All people dying will not be alone at death, someone will be there waiting for them on the “other side”. From a Christian worldview, one will quickly start to see that the author is painting a picture that it really does not matter if one believes in Christ, Buddha, Mohamed, Satan or the Easter Bunny to be welcomed by a loving presence. One needs to remember that there is only one way to God (heaven), and that is through Christ Jesus. The book overall, is a good read and touching at times, but I would recommend that Christians remember that this is written from a non-Christian viewpoint. Take the opportunity to share with those you love, tell someone you love them, and most importantly, do not wait until someone is dying to bring comfort to them.
Rating: 1 / 5
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
…unless the dying person specifically requests this book.
It should be read by the people “who spend time with” the dying. Especially read by idiotic, out of town, distant relatives who decide to “drop in” and visit the dying person. If you are going to look up a book on Amazon to give as a gift to your relative who is dying, be sure you get the context and understand the semantics before handing it to him/her.
Rating: 3 / 5
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
The authors are so convinced that all of these experiences prove that there is life after death. I have experience with many deaths as an ICU nurse, as well as with family. These experiences are not universal, though this was not addressed in the book. The majority of people who die are much older than those presented in these cases. The experiences may be fiction; probity is dubious, or accepted through a leap of faith on the part of the reader.
I don’t know what happens after death, no one knows with certainty what happens.
Why are the healthy not visited by deceased loved ones? Are those who die in accidents excluded from these experiences?
Perhaps my terminally ill father will display signs as described in the book….If so, I’ll post an update. In my experience, most do not.
Granted, my own experiences are only anecdotal, as are the stories in this book, which the reader should keep in mind.
I give this book one star because it may help people to feel better. Keep in mind that the authors are making money on this book. I say browse it in your local bookstore and then leave it on the shelf.
Rating: 1 / 5
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
I was very impressed with how they dealt with the subject of death. Since I’ve volunteered for hospice, this book gave me a clear insight to the life of death.
Rating: 5 / 5
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying