Did you know there is an Obituary Writers' Hall of Fame? I sure didn't, by Jim Sheeler was inducted there in 2006. These are more than the usual obituary seen in newspapers, they are 'life stories'. You probably won't recognize anyone here, they all lived in Colorado, but their stories are wonderful. One of my favorites was the woman who outlived her tombstone. She was born in 1898 (remember that), so, when her husband died in 1973, she had her name put on the tombstone they would share, with her birth year and 19 -- figuring that could be completed when the time came. Della Evans died in 2001! (Think about that, she was alive in three different centuries). This charming little book is titled: Obit: Inspiring Stories of Ordinary People Who Led Extraordinary Lives.

For a nice little read in these turbulent times, try Find the Good: Unexpected Life Lessons from a Small-Town Obituary Writer, by Heather Lende. Although she writes about death, she also writes about life: how these people lived, and the good they did, and the lessons she's learned. One of the best? In bad times, when horrible things are happening, look for those who turn up to help out.

Reading Hermit With Dog