I'm a writer and editor, born at the tail end of the Baby Boom. Just by coincidence, I was halfway through writing a book about my dad, a larger-than-life guy who'd had a childhood drastically different from my own, when he was diagnosed with Stage IV metastasized prostate cancer. The direction of the book changed at that point, although from the start through the finish it remained a book about living, not dying.

The two years that he lived with that diagnosis were challenging and heartbreaking. Also surprisingly fun-filled and full, full, full of grace. I learned a lot about the kindness of strangers and friends, the miracle of hospice, how deeply someone else's need can tap into our best qualities of compassion and generosity and patience, and how we all remain fallible, always. I learned that some grievances you've held your whole life can evaporate without your even noticing, while others you just have to make peace with. And I learned that if you want to break your dad out of hospice care in Philadelphia for one last trip home to rural Georgia, and his body is too delicate to endure the cramped, no-exit scenario of a plane flight, a 30-foot RV is a good alternative, even though they only get 5 miles per gallon.

You can also reach me or read more about the book at www.lisefunderburg.com

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