Foreword: by Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones, award-winning author of The Art of Uncertainty: “There can be no question that the coming and going of one’s life is a topic that affects us all. One day we arrive here from the ethers of the Divine One and – likewise — one day we shall return to It. Most of us are good with the coming part—it’s the going art that we tend to avoid thinking about. This is a topic that deserves our attention because it is one that every one of us will have an opportunity to experience at some point; it is only a matter of when.”

Book Description: Dying a good death is Vee Riley’s final wish, and she believes a good death is a conscious death. In the grip of end-stage cancer, she decides how she will interact with her deteriorating physical condition, while letting go of family and friends, her home, and her independence. For most of her life, Vee pursued a daily spiritual practice that included artwork, writing, meditating, and communing in nature, and she devoted herself to compassionate service enriching the lives of hundreds. Now, at 87, Vee knows the door to life is closing, and she valiantly engages her daughter Kate as her ally. Vee’s goal is to die at home, but the process is not as straightforward as she envisioned.

Mother and daughter find themselves entering the mystery, where they apply the wisdom of mutually intelligent hearts to overcome each obstacle that threatens to derail them from fulfilling Vee’s ultimate goal. With fortitude, integrity, and compassion, Kate supports her mom every step of the way home. Vee’s death is not pretty, but it is enlightening. Her final act takes us through a labyrinth, and the supernova of Vee’s leave-taking illuminates a way for all who choose to live consciously into death.

Foreword: by Lucia Capacchione, PhD, author of 13 books: “The Green Velvet Journals will inspire people of all ages whose lives are touched by cancer or any other life-threatening illness. ”

Book Description: Mother and daughter navigate a brand new landscape after Vee finds a lump in her breast. Her daughter, Kate, faces her mother’s initial decision to “go within” with apprehension. Both women explore their own fears, aspirations, and love through journaling in matching green velvet journals. This book is an intimate portrayal of mother and daughter as they move through a breast cancer diagnosis.

A Note: The process mother and daughter go through individually and together in “The Green Velvet Journals” will later serve them well! The story is continued in “Launching Vee’s Chariot: An End-of-Life Tale”.