Picture Perfect Death: Meaning Making Through Narrative and Metaphor

Emotional, ethical, spiritual and relationship realities are often too complex or profound to be described in objective language. They can be known, however, in simple word pictures that provide diagnostic and prescriptive information for spiritual care. A subjective image that encompasses life values, hopes and beliefs may become a resource when used to provide a unifying theme for personalized end-of-life care. Discerning the stories that contain images of primary family/patient values, resources, hopes and concerns can define the "same page" for everyone to join together in providing focused caregiving. Metaphors derived from significant life narratives reveal information and direction that is not available in the language of numbers and objective fact. A focused picture of life dreams, accomplishments, joys and values provide context for the work we do as caregivers.