I was struck by an article I just read in the New York Times about the importance of listening. The Art of Listening

A man died during the night before he could complete an amazing story when he was young to a visitor. And it was remarked "That's not a good way to die -- before you've told the end of your story."

We should strive to give people the opportunity to complete their story.

Thanks Tian for such an interesting article and for giving us a chance to reflect on what it means to “listen” to someone.

There are so many different ways to listen to someone, especially at the end of life. When the voice weakens, body language, facial expressions and sometimes silence all become so much more important.

I remember reading and loving a very insightful book on this topic, a long time ago, called: Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley and I strongly recommend it.

Has anyone else read it?

Dear Tian,

Yes, I agree that listening to the story of another at any time of life is so important, but especially when someone has a limited time left in which to share. A life story, with all its little details of place, actions, feelings, is so precious. Just reflecting back takes a person further into the story, and maybe even brings new insight or retrieves a memory forgotten. I sometimes forget to offer that simple feedback when listening, but when I do it, I am always amazed at the richness which pours forth.

Have others had such an experience?