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Aug 16, 2022

"Reality is clarifying,

Death becomes less terrifying,

When you look it straight in the eye." --Barbara McAfee

Living/Dying Man

"After he was diagnosed, we had a lot of conversation about how we were going to face the harsh reality that ALS is always fatal. We didn't want to waste our precious time trying to chase down miracle cures or doing things that might extend his life for a few days or weeks. What was the point of a few more days if he was suffering? We decided to live 'hope-free,' which isn't the same thing as hopeless. It's about embracing the reality of what is. Jamie was very clear that he didn't want to focus on the fact that he was dying. He was alive, and he intended to keep living fully, every single moment, until death took him. For both of us, that meant that we couldn't squander time. It also felt essential not to squander the lessons that living/dying had to teach us. Jamie was all about learning, right up until the end." In this moving conversation, Jamie's wife Maren Showkeir, and singer/songwriter Barbara McAfee, discuss the profound lessons gleaned from Jamie's way. A dear friend of the Showkeirs, Barbara was inspired to write and share "Living/Dying Man," a stunning musical tribute to Jamie. Listen to the song, and read the conversation here.

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BE THE CHANGE
Today marks the seventh anniversary of Jamie's passing, and the 70th anniversary of his birth. If inspired to, you can send a note of appreciation to Maren here. More ...



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