Welcome! In a world filled with distractions, it is easy to avoid the uncomfortable tasks of end-of-life planning. It seems like preparing for our death is an interruption in our life - but that’s not how the story has to go. What if preparing for our death could help us feel more alive and connected? What if it wasn’t an interruption of our life but a way to help us live well?
In my roles as a scholar, trauma-informed teacher, group facilitator, and program director, I have walked with people as they discern how to live well in the face of life’s biggest questions.
More importantly, I survived a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis and divorce - all while parenting young children, who are now 10 and 14 years old. On my own, I had to face the hard, scary, overwhelming, and messy work of getting my affairs in order because I wanted to save my friends and family from the stress of making decisions that I could make for myself. And, I have seen what can happen when end-of-life planning is ignored, lacks clarity, or isn't well-communicated. In my family, it led to estrangement, hurt, and financial loss.
Coming from a family skilled in conflict-avoidance, I understand the temptation to avoid what seems like an overwhelming, scary, and lonely job. But, what if preparing for our death doesn’t have to be a solitary practice of grief? What if it could be a communal practice of play? What if we could make end of life planning be life-giving instead?
That’s why I launched Playdates with Death™.
Think of me as your project manager, chief executive-functioning officer, and cheerleader in decisions related to matters of life and death. Work with me and other brave, gorgeous mortals through the overwhelming list of end-of-life tasks and transform avoidance into loving attention.
Play, beauty, love and laughter - these are the ingredients for doing hard things gracefully. This is the recipe for our Playdates with Death™. Come play with us!
See you soon,
Lea Schweitz, Ph.D.
