What Really Matters by Karen M. Wyatt, M.D.

What Really Matters is a collection of stories from the files of hospice physician Karen Wyatt that reveal the end-of-life wisdom of several dying patients and their families. Each touching story provides a glimpse into the final days of life of a terminally ill patient through the eyes of the doctor who provided medical care during that difficult time. As the drama of each situation unfolds, profound life lessons are demonstrated that change the perspective of the doctor and the reader, as well, toward suffering, life and death. A spiritual discourse follows each story to further elucidate the meaning of the lesson learned and its application to everyday life.
By focusing attention on “what really matters” this book encourages the reader to embrace the suffering that occurs throughout life and utilize it as a catalyst for growth and change. The point is emphasized that through the negotiation of loss and suffering one’s character is deepened and consciousness can be elevated. This transformation is a necessary step toward healing the wounds of an individual life and toward solving the current life-threatening problems of our society and the entire planet.

Goodreads Summary

The author's line of work adds validity to the contents of this book.   The reader will love getting to know more about the author and discovering just why she does what she does ( i.e. going on medical missions).  The book itself is not simply composed of others' experiences, but the authors' own.  Death may not be a favorite topic of conversation, but should be considered important...considering we're all going to experience it.  The book does have plenty of "death" in it, but will not be gloomy at all.  Instead, the author has infused the book with small lessons, memories, and life. 

The seven lessons referenced in the title links back to the last seven words of the Christ.  The author does a wonderful job of keeping to this theme and tying the chapters back to the theme in such a way that is makes complete sense.  Some stories of the people experiencing hospice may seem sad; the reader will feel as if he/she really gets to know these people in the last days/weeks/moments of their lives.  The lives of each person has something to add to the book, the people seem so much more real than just their words on a page.  This is a book that the reader will be thinking about long after setting it down.  The lessons and reminders in this book may serve to help anyone currently in hospice or who will lose or have lost someone dear to him/her recently.  Overall, this book is recommended to adult readers.

5 Stars

Find this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.