Read this book. Everyone. Soon. Now.
No, it’s not an easy subject matter. But it addresses one of the absolute guarantees of life: death.
I originally bought this book, having heard the author interviewed on a podcast discussing end-of-life issues, for work. I often discuss end-of-life issues with clients as we talk about advanced directives and living wills. But this book has done so much more for me than merely inform me professionally. It has touched me personally.
Dr. Gawande is an excellent writer. He is also a compassionate and curious physician. He is a loving son. He is a student of life and the sort who wants to broaden his views. He writes about a difficult subject matter, not only informing the reader about the details of aging and long term care and dying, but also sharing personal stories that have helped him grow and become a better doctor.
Let’s face it: doctors usually do not handle end of life well. They treat. They heal. They save. It goes against so many of them to allow life to end. But life does end. Understanding this and preparing for the need to be our own guardians of compassion is vital to quality of life, as life begins to end.
Begin Mortal helps the reader understand more about that process of aging and dying and, hopefully, approach those stages with more compassion and strength when it comes time for our loved ones—and perhaps even ourselves—to face the sometimes long journey from health to death. More so, the book informs the reader of the background of how we, as a society, got to where we are when facing death. By understanding this path, perhaps we can get back to basics of that aforementioned compassion and understand that life can end with grace, with dignity, with peace.
I’ll admit this: I cried through most of the final two chapters, things discussed being utterly personal for me right now. So I’m not saying this is easy to get through. But as exhausted as I felt having read those final two chapters, at the same time I have more resolve and strength to face difficult days, current and ahead. I’m better for having read it. I hope, if you read it too, you’ll agree.