You Mean I Have to Look at the Body?!

By sharing initmate, personal stories, Reverend Marcia M. Cham confronts her own fear of death through her pastoral experiences. Through the stories, Cham discusses some nagging questions around death: Are we ever ready to die? Did Dad know he was going to die? Are our days numbered? Does God willy-nilly strike us dead? She and a grieving wife create bumper stickers and t-shirt slogans for the grieving out of the frustrating remarks from those unfamiliar with the grief process. As Cham journeys "through the valley of the shadow," she shares about accidental deaths, good deaths, celebrations of life, family deaths, and the invasion of and power of fear. She learns to treasure the gift of laughter as she moves deeper into the mysteries and surprises of life and death. Her journey is colored by humor, respectful irreverence, and honesty.