GrandExit

Losing my dear friend MaryJo eight months after we both turned 50 was one of the most painful, mysterious, and in the end, gracious experiences of my life. After her terminal diagnosis, she and I talked regularly. She amazed me with her ability to confront and discuss the hard truths coming. I immediately complied with her request to follow up when it was time for her son to prepare for his college SAT’s. And I was awed—in some way comforted—with her invitation to speak at her funeral; “say something about friendship,” she posed. The details of the reception she’d planned to a tee helped all of us that day—we chuckled at how “her” it was. She’d helped ease our agony by making so many arrangements.

GrandExit began two years later, during a small dinner party among college friends. We gathered monthly at Diane’s house to share joyous (and usually boisterous!) evenings during a time when Diane was grappling with a degenerative illness that would eventually take her from us. Not that it was easy, but we openly talked about the realities of planning end of life issues. About how it could be made simpler if resources, tools and guidance – maybe a checklist and links – were available online, in one place. “Just a click away!” we mused. We brainstormed names for a good website.

As a result, GrandExit exists to serve us all. When it’s hard to think straight after a loss, check in and find direction, referrals, ideas, and a community where it’s normal and ok to talk about end-of-life issues. Before the time happens, for ourselves or for our loved ones, peruse alternatives to “standard” practices, discover a new ritual, and gain support to help plan what we all will ultimately face. GrandExit offers a centralized source of information and inspiration – from research-based technical resources and information to philosophical and artistic outlets, live sources of services, and more. For more information, contact info@grandexit.org.