They had just gotten married. The “Just Married” sign was still fresh on the back of their car when they stepped into the theater that night. What began as a joyful outing quickly turned tragic.
He collapsed. By the time I saw him in the hospital, he was on life support. No prior warning. No time to process. Just a young bride, barely pregnant, sitting in a cold waiting room—heart racing, eyes filled with tears, clinging to a future that had suddenly slipped out of reach.
When I had to explain what had happened, I could barely keep my voice steady. She was devastated… and yet deeply composed. Her husband hadn’t left a will or a list of instructions—but he had checked the box on his driver’s license to be an organ donor.
In death, he gave life.
That choice—small, quiet, and intentional—became the one piece of clarity in the fog of grief. It reminded me that planning for death isn’t morbid or pessimistic. It’s a gift of love to those we leave behind.
That’s why I’ve partnered with Five Wishes to share their free end-of-life planning guide. It helps you express your values, your medical preferences, and your spiritual priorities with compassion and clarity. Whether you’re facing a serious illness or simply want to prepare with wisdom, it’s a powerful tool to start the conversation.
I also invite you to read my book, Anticipating Heaven. In it, I share more stories like this one—true stories of faith, suffering, hope, and what it means to live (and die) with your heart anchored in eternity.
Planning doesn’t eliminate grief. But it can bring peace, preserve dignity, and create moments of beauty even in the darkest hours.
