Cedar Goslin
The Broadside
One of the purposes of Central Oregon Community College is to prepare students for situations they will encounter in their future careers, and on March 3 students will be given a chance to learn from self published author, Maggie Watson.
Watson is the author of a book titled “A Graceful Farewell: Putting Your Affairs In Order,” which is meant as a guide to help people organize their final affairs so that their loved ones aren’t left in turmoil after they pass.
On March 3, Watson will be giving a presentation of her book in the COCC campus center from 12-1 pm. According
to Watson’s website, agracefulfarewell.com, the book is a step-by-step guide to help give loved ones peace of mind and
make sure that all wishes are carried out.
“More and more of us are considering end-of-life matters. Although some people are too busy living to think about
these issues, situations like Terry Shiavo offer a sad reminder of what can happen when things are not in place. My book
encourages and leads people to list and make locatable all the necessary aspects of a person’s life. Some people who have used my book say it is truly a gift for their loved ones,” said Watson in a quote on her website.
Watson was asked to give a presentation by Karen Alyward, the coordinator of the visiting scholar program, after she assisted the mother of Alyward’s friend in arranging her own affairs.
“The experience she had was so powerful, she suggested I consider hosting her here, so Maggie is coming back to town,” said Alyward.
Alyward said that she hopes this presentation will be a learning opportunity for staff and students, and that it might particularly interest students in the nursing program or Oregon State University—Cascade’s human development and family sciences program. Watson’s speech has the potential to be useful to those students, as in the careers they are preparing for may call for them to help others with organizing their final affairs, and Watson’s book and presentation will begin to give them exposure to those kinds of situations.
“Because this really is about families. It really is about families working together so that, exactly what Maggie says, you make a graceful farewell,“ said Alyward.
While Watson’s visit may be useful on a professional level to students who will eventually assist people in the final stages of their life, other members of the COCC community can benefit from it as well.
“Some of us also have aging parents and will be aging ourselves some point…it just exposes us to what we should or might want to think about in the not so distant future,” said Alyward.
Copies of Watson’s book will be available for sale at the event, but the event itself is free and it is not necessary to purchase a book to participate.
Alyward advised anyone who could make time to show up at the campus center on March 3rd, and to bring a lunch to eat as they listen to Watson speak.
“It’s chance for students, faculty and the general public, anyone who’s interested to have a greater understanding of the greater issues at the end of life’s matters,” said Alyward.
A GRACEFUL FAREWELL
A guide for leaving the ultimate gift for loved ones.
Clear and organized information that will give peace of mind.
When:
Thursday, March 3
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Where:
Room 116A/B, Campus Center, COCC, Bend
You can contact Cedar Goslin at cgoslin@cocc.edu
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