Gifts from the Edge of Life

<p>In <em>Gifts from the Edge of Life</em>/<em>Reflections of a Grateful Nurse </em>Wendy Gilbert Gronbeck not only provides insightful answers to the question '<strong>How can you stand to be a nurse</strong>?' but does so with<strong> empathy charm and a bit of humor </strong>giving the reader an intimate look at what people at their most vulnerable-during times of life-threatening or life-ending illness-can teach the rest of us about acceptance perseverance grace and humanity. Gronbeck's stories-of the feisty Hazel the bad-mouthing Marne the musicians Daniel and David the ever-grateful Margaret (among others)-remind us that care<em>giving</em> can also be a kind of <em>receiving</em> if one can see beyond the pain and grief as Gronbeck does. <strong>There is heartbreak of course at the edge of life-for the dying their close family and intimates and often for their medical attendants as well-but there is also dignity and beauty and love and song and yes laughter.</strong> <em>Gifts from the Edge of Life</em> is Wendy Gronbeck's affirmation that there is 'more to life than living.' They are gifts worth sharing.</p>