From the FOREWORD written by Reverend Howard Storm, Author of MY DESCENT INTO DEATH: A Second Chance at Life. We live in a time and culture where we attempt to distance ourselves from the inevitable and most feared event in our lives, which is death. Dying profoundly impacts the individual going into the process of losing their life, but also deeply emotionally threatens the lives of those who are connected to them, and these are family, friends, and caregivers. Too often this critical time brings out emotions and dynamics which make for destructive interactions and missed opportunities, when there is an important opportunity for peace and reconciliations between all the participants in the dying process. The clear intention of this collection of writings is to help people learn appropriate responses to being participants in this sacred time of transformation. In this book "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" the different contributors have decades of experience in this field and share from personal knowledge the joys and sorrows of being there in the great drama of the end of life.... This book is very respectful of different belief systems and circumstances of culture. This process of letting go of a loved one is a time for love and affirmation of who they are. This is not our opportunity to change them, except how they may want to change, such as making amends with family. Since each of us carries our baggage into the relationship, this is the time to let that go for the sake of the one who is leaving us forever. There is nothing as horrific as a family fighting their old battles around the deathbed. At this time of dying, what is most needed is love, hope, and peace. The largest audience for this book is healing professionals. Those who are called into the healing professions are typically very compassionate people. They will find much of the territory covered in these chapters familiar ground. They may find confirmation of decisions they have made or they may find new insights that will help them make better choices in the future. Sometimes the healers have invested a tremendous amount of energy in saving the individual from death and they have a struggle admitting defeat and letting the person go on. Regardless of the similarities or differences in experience of the reader each will be expanded by the honest insights related in these stories. "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" is a useful textbook for training in fields like hospice care. This book should be accessible to individuals who are facing the greatest drama in life which is the end of life as we know it.
About the Author: Pamelajune (Pj) Anderson hails from Columbus, Ohio. She is a graduate of East High School, Catonsville Community College (AA), Johns Hopkins University (BS), Howard University Divinity School (Master of Divinity), and United Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry). She is a life time member of the NAACP, and a member of the 49 Fine Detroit Alumni, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. In 2005, Anderson founded the National Restoration to Military Families Team (NRT), a 501C3, community-based organization commissioned to empower communities to support military members, their families, and affected civilians through deployment cycles. Anderson is ordained in the United Church of Christ, holds duel partnership standing with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is a retired Lieutenant Commander, US Navy Chaplain Corps and is a commissioned volunteer Chaplain (Major, Civil Air Patrol). She has provided pastoral ministry to civilians, service members, and military families throughout the United States and abroad including Sicily, Greece, Spain, Germany, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Africa, throughout Italy, and Okinawa, Japan; She has numerous awards. Fr. Sebastian Mpango Nzabhayanga, was born in Kabnga Mission Hospital in Kasulu, Tanzania, East Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Sokoine University, Morogoro, Tanzania (1985), a Bachelor (Baccalaureate) in Sacred Theology from Urbaniana University, Rome (1993); a Diploma in Planning and Management of Devel. Projects (Catholic Univ. of Eastern Africa, Nairobi); and a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Marywood University. Father Sebastian's profile is extensive: Provided counseling services to refugees in camp; Introduced college "Roots and Shoots" club for environmental protection; Established and strengthened school boards as Education Secretary; Chaired effectively an association for 48 native clergy for 6 years; Director of Kabanga Mission Hospital - Kigoma Tanzania 2011; Internship in Counseling at Scranton Counseling Center 2009; Practicum in Counseling at Catholic Social Services, Scranton 2008; Pastor: Kifura Parish, Kigoma Catholic Diocese (Tanzania) 2001-2006; Diocesan Education Secretary: Diocese of Kigoma 1997-2001; Scientific Officer: Tanzania Agric. Research Organization 1984-1986. Father Sebastian has numerous awards. He hopes to translate NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP into Swahili. Full biographies of Dr. Anderson and Father Sebastian are in NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP