End of Life Planning
Sunday Dinner
Some family conversations are difficult to begin — especially those involving end-of-life planning. But Helen knows that despite the difficulty, she has to open up the subject with her children. This is Sunday dinner with a difference.
The O’Connor family gathered every Sunday evening for dinner. It was a tradition that had started long before Helen O’Connor became the matriarch of the family, and she was determined to keep it going. This Sunday, the usual sounds of clattering dishes, laughter, and the occasional playful argument between her grown children filled the house.
Helen watched her three kids — Michael, the oldest, with his serious demeanor; Laura, the middle child, always the peacemaker; and Danny, the youngest, with his lighthearted jokes — sitting around the table. Her heart swelled with love, but beneath it, a nagging concern gnawed at her.
She knew she needed to talk to them about something important, something she had been putting off for too long. It was time to discuss her end-of-life plans. But the thought of bringing it up filled her with dread. She could already imagine the discomfort, the awkward silence that would follow.
“Mom, are you okay?” Laura’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
