What Can The Dying Teach Us About Living?
September 14, 2012
Hosted by Randy Rolfe, JD, MA, Bestselling author, family therapist, and wellness educator
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Guest Information
Episode Description
As our population ages, an ever bigger proportion of our population will be dealing with end of life issues. What can we learn from the experience of those dying? What can they teach us about life as well as about death, and how can we help to make their transition more peaceful and love-filled? My guest this week on “Family First” is Becki Hawkins, author of the new book TRANSITIONS: A Nurse’s Education About Life and Death. Becki Hawkins is a natural storyteller and a great listener and she brought those gifts with her as she sat by the bedside of seriously ill or terminally ill patients for more than 30 years, as an oncology and hospice nurse. It is her compassion and warmth that encouraged so many of her charges to share their heartfelt thoughts and experiences with her. On “Family First” she will share what she has learned from her experiences and also reveal a kind of blueprint for how to help our loved ones to go through their end of life transition in peace, grace, and love.
Family First
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
On Family First, you’ll hear about all aspects of family life. What could be more important than your family’s health and relationships? Our show will bring you experts who can help you find the easiest, most effective, and most fun ways to promote your family’s well-being, whether it’s balancing home and work, your child’s schooling or getting chores done. I’ve handled topics from how teenage moms can still have a future to how the family of Terry Nichols could deal with the Oklahoma City Bombing. But the main focus of Family First is on prevention, how the little choices you make each day have the biggest effects. Whether it’s raising tough issues with your partner, handling an angry child, getting health or financial advice, getting your child to eat better, losing weight or finding fun ways to relax, this is the place to come for a helping hand.
Randy Rolfe, JD, MA, Bestselling author, family therapist, and wellness educator
My focus on family began in the fifth grade, when my mother suggested I do a study of the American family for my history class. I received the top academic prize at the Shipley School and was elected Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Pennsylvania. By age 20, I had traveled to 29 countries and was convinced that world peace begins with the family. I studied law at Villanova Law School to learn how society serves families, served on the Law Review Board, and joined a top Philadelphia firm where I was the first woman attorney ever hired. From the beginning, my husband and I put family first and when we had our own children, I was inspired to write my first book on family: You Can Postpone Anything But Love. I founded the Institute for Creative Solutions to serve families, and I soon became a popular TV and radio personality, “One of the best guests ever,” according to Geraldo Rivera. Other books include: Adult Children Raising Children; The Affirmations Book for Sharing (written with my husband John); The Seven Secrets of Successful Parents; and The Four Temperaments. The books led me to public speaking as far away as Russia. In my family therapy practice I included wellness counseling. I also earned a Masters degree in theology from Villanova University. For my volunteer work, I received the Chapel of the Four Chaplain’s Legion of Honor. Whether spiritual, practical, health or school-related, or financial, I know my expert guests can help you have a great family life!
