Letting go has brought me one of the most profound learning experiences of my life. In recent years, I’ve faced the loss of my father. the dearest person to me and the end of a 15 year marriage to a partner I deeply cherished. A few months ago, two more significant losses struck: my mentor Mark, who was like a father to me here in Canada, and my aunt both passed away on the same day, in the same city. Life changes quickly, sometimes in just a matter of days.

While we all understand that loss is inevitable, it’s impossible to fully prepare for its aftermath. Experiencing these cycles of loss of our loved ones has taught me that legacy is not just a remembrance, it’s a responsibility. Life is fleeting, but the impact we leave behind endures far longer.

For those closest to the immediate loss of a loved one, a partner, parent, or child, life is irrevocably altered. Nothing will ever be the same, and that is perhaps the most devastating truth we “all” face at some point in life.

My work with Kathy Kastner on the project BestEndings.com has been a source of healing and inspiration. Kathy often says that planning for the end isn’t about how we die, it’s about how we live. Having open conversations about end-of-life wishes allows us to live fully, right to the very end.