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Book Review of When There are Few Words
When There Are Few Words is a new book from Sr Deirdre MC Kenna RSM.
Introducing the book, Deirdre tells us: "Most of us live out our lives at home in our local communities. When we come to the end of our lives, we can find ourselves faced with some very important questions about living and dying."
We have a review of the book in to share with you from Sr. Dolores McGuinness rsm:
When There are Few Words is a really useful and inspirational book written by Sr. Deirdre Mc Kenna rsm. It is obvious that it comes out of a heart space of deep knowing, suffering and lived experience.
I was reminded of Picasso when a woman asked him why his painting was so expensive, given that he had created it in 5 minutes. He looked at her without a pause and said, “No, madam, it took me my whole life.”
Deirdre has poured a lot of her life into this book.
It’s not so much a book to be read as one to be experienced and referred to when need arises. It is not an easy read, but it is a helpful one.
Being a true companion to a dying person requires a presence to oneself. How one embraces one’s own fears and sense of mortality will determine how present one can be. It can be a shared journey of coming to the edge of knowing.
Death, though different for everyone, is universal; a stage of life for all. This book can be experienced by people from all walks of life, whatever their situation.
The structure of the book sets the pace for engaging with this unknown journey; there is clear and precise information, beautiful poetry, reflections and quick references, presented in the form of invitational questions to be held and pondered. The exquisite images of nature mirror the interior crossing that Deirdre takes us on.
We learn that as a companion to someone dying, we are holding a space where people can be consciously present and trusting at the end of life. We hold this space by offering reassurance, asking the awkward question to professionals, deep listening and conveying responses with sincere sensitivity, in a timely fashion.
Conflict, an aspect of most families’ lives may be heightened at this tender and stressful time of death. We learn it might help if we can be brave and ask ourselves:
“Is there a moment offering itself to you, for a small, generous act of graciousness?”. It’s best to “keep focusing on the person who is dying”. How wise!
There are many challenges peppered throughout the book, the toughest and perhaps the most compassionate one might be to begin the conversation now about what you want at the time of your own death.
This book offers great hope.
It’s a book really worth reading when we don’t have to so that when we need it, we can delve into it with confidence.
Review by Sr. Dolores Mc Guinness rsm.