We’ve all heard the term, “Spring Cleaning.” In fact, as the weather starts warming up, I’m sure you’re starting to do a bit of it already.  But have you heard of the Swedish practice of death cleaning? It’s a practice for decluttering your life as you age. Decluttering can make us happier, less stressed, and reminds us we aren’t here forever. 

This week I challenge you to pick a drawer, closet, room or a corner of the house or garage to… declutter and feel good about that one small accomplishment!

It’s mid-winter in Northeastern Iowa. Temps have plummeted to dangerous depths, our landscape is dull and lifeless and we’re beginning to feel the full effects of “Cabin Fever.”  I’ve kept fresh bouquets in my bedroom this winter. But why? #Flowers are used to convey all kinds of #Emotions and intentions. But, if you think about it, do flowers offer a perceivable benefit?  Check out this article by Jacob Terranova and decide for yourself.

March 31, 2015, the phone rang and all I remember hearing is, “Liz, we have your dad and we think he’s having a heart attack…” I couldn’t remember details beyond those words. I raced to the hospital a couple of blocks away beating the ambulance transporting Dad from Elma to New Hampton.  The doctors worked diligently to save his life.  With lots of prayers and the best cardiology team we could ask for, my father today enjoys watching his grandchildren grow! 

February is American Heart Month. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. Help spread the word about our nation’s leading health threat and learn how you can protect your health. Visit heart.org for more information. #HeartMonth.

February 24, 2019 will go down in many of our minds as one of the worst blizzards we’ve seen on our life times.  Winds gust 50 miles per hour, snow fell for hours at a rate of one inch per hour.  Just as we were hoping to see the first signs of spring in the near future, Old Man Winter showed us just how fierce he can be.  But in the midst of this terrible frozen storm the warmest hearts shown through and to many those hearts were as angels in the darkness.  From snowmobilers to EMS, firefighters, tow truck driver and even the National Guard kept watch over stranded travelers.  This these are examples of large acts, know that even a smile, yes, just a smile can turn the day around for any number of people.  Wherever you go spread the joy… You never know whose life you’ll change!

This week marks Suicide Prevention Week, a week long observance of the mental health crisis that continues to devastate our communities across the nation. Grief often manifests itself in many forms and some are more serious than others. But there’s help! Peer Recovery Zone is just one of the organizations that provide a safe, supportive environment encouraging engagement for people who live day to day with a number of mental health concerns, even those formed by grief. They also assist individuals in finding resources within the community. For further information please reach out to Wendy by phone at 641-210-0734 or via email at wgerber2019@gmail.com. Don’t suffer in silence, there’s help!

The caption on my wedding invitations was, “It’s a fresh new day, and it is ours.” Each day is truly a gift! #newdaynewstart #strengthrenewed

I had an opportunity to visit with a couple of girlfriends this week.  We chatted about our kids and the insanity of our schedules.  We laughed because as much as we wanted school to start we were physically and mentally exhausted from running to practices, games, and meetings… And that was just for the kids.  Each of us own or manage a business with unique demands in the fields of expertise.  Then something special happened.  We talked about how we cope with the stress of each day and opened up about our own ways of dealing with that stress.  Some of us workout, go to the chiropractor, sing, and we all agreed that visiting with each other was one of the biggest reliefs, because it was in talking that we learned we weren’t alone in our angst.  Each one of us felt it in our own ways and some days clung to the very hope of a renewed day.

Listen, I know you’re tired, worried, sick, and grief stricken… But you’re NOT alone!  This isn’t just your battle to go through on your own.  There are days when our exhaustion overwhelms us and we want nothing more than to turn inward and fight silently.  It’s in those moments when speaking up will not only renew your hope, but lighten your load.  So whether you run, walk, skip, jump, sing, yodel, hike, bike, or visit, just do it!  Call a friend to join you and when all else fails, pray, get some rest and with a new day comes new strength and hope.  

It’s a fresh new day!  Make it yours!

We laid a beautiful soul to rest next to her husband on what would’ve been their 64th wedding anniversary and only one year after his passing. For this special couple, not even death could keep them apart. #lastinglove #honoringmemories

Revelation 1:16b His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

“My eyes know that it is the sun in the picture but my mind says it looks like the Son.”

Words of encouragement, remember when you have cloudy days that the Son is still shining on you!

• A meal at their favorite restaurant

• A movie night with their favorite movie

• Community service in their honor 

• Practice their favorite hobby

Cremation, like electric cars and cell phones is here to stay. For some people cremation is part of their religious practice. For other people, cremation just feels right for them. The big question is who should help you with your cremation, a society or a funeral director?

Cremation Societies specialize in what is called a direct cremation. Direct cremation means the society will remove the deceased from the place of death and take the body directly to their crematory where the cremation process will take place. Following cremation, the ashes are returned to the family in a bag or box. It’s all pretty quick. The cost is quite low for direct cremation.

But something is missing.

How do we feel when a family member dies? What helps? Death is a loss. It is hard to describe how loss feels, but it is something like a void, a vacuum, or an energy shift. You see something close when you watch victims of the California wild fires or a tornado on television. You see that dazed and stunned look on their faces. That is loss. There they stand looking at a pile of rubble that was their home … and now it is gone. That look is about loss of a building. Loss of a person, someone you love, is so much more. It hurts your heart.

Funeral directors are trained and specialize in taking care of the deceased AND in taking care of the family of the deceased. They know people need more. They are going to encourage you to slow down a little and give the family a little time for the reality of the loss to sink in. Give a little time for the family to consider what they need to do to begin to heal.

Funeral directors specialize in helping families put together a gathering to honor the one who died. They know that being with those you love and who love you helps. They know words, as a part of a religious, spiritual, or life celebration ceremony help. Funerals are the funeral director’s specialty. They have done this many times with many families. Funeral directors are the experts.

Of course, the funeral home will help you with a direct cremation if that is what your family prefers. To be fair, cremation societies will also add on some service options at the family’s request. As you add services the cost increases. It is important to look for value.

The funeral home is staffed by licensed trained funeral directors and serves families from a clean, company ready facility with plenty of parking and is a good value. Do your homework. Where will cremation take place? If your family wants service where will the service take place? If you add service and products what is the difference in price? How important is cost over expertise? Share your budget with the funeral director at your funeral home. Don’t assume you need to sacrifice ceremony for savings.