Elyse and Me: Conversations Between a Child and God About Dying

By John R. Hanson

What's it like for a child to find out they have a life-threatening illness? What would they think and feel? They might know that they could die from this illness, but do they really understand what dying is? Do they wonder what happens to them if they actually die?

This tender story is about a nine-year-old girl who has cancer. Her name is Elyse and this story follows her journey through the wide-ranging thoughts and emotions of a child faced with the possibility of dying. What if her chemotherapy doesn't work? She knows that could happen. She doesn't know what to trust. She alternately feels great hope and terror. What if she dies? What does that even mean?

Elyse's parents talk about going to heaven and being with God forever. Does that sound appealing to a nine year old? Absolutely not. Leave her parents forever? Leave all her friends, neighborhood, school and favorite things forever? Comfort seems to be out of reach for Elyse.

But what if God himself were to show up and actually speak with Elyse? What if he would answer all of her questions and present the experience of heaven as enjoyable and fun? That sounds helpful, but would God actually do that?

One night Elyse's parents told her that her doctors were worried that the chemotherapy might not work anymore. Elyse was grief-stricken. She was scared and angry. She and her parents all hugged each other and cried together. Elyse finally cried herself to sleep.

In the middle of the night Elyse was woken up by something very puzzling and yet amazing. She didn't know it at the time, but her discovery would completely turn things around for her. She was about to start on a new adventure that could lead her into death ... and beyond.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Nov 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504365673

John R. Hanson

John's experience includes an M.A. in Transpersonal Studies, a hospice volunteer, and former Chaplain Intern at a hospice house. He has great empathy for children facing life-threatening illnesses. His experience has taught him how to talk with people about death with compassion and deep wisdom. John lives in Olympia, Washington.

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Copyright © 2016 John R. Hanson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016914805

ISBN: 978-1-5043-6566-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-6567-3 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 11/28/2016

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This book is dedicated to all the patients, family members, and friends whom I have met at SoundHomeCare and Hospice in Olympia, Washington, and at the Franciscan Hospice House in University Place, Washington. You were my most powerful teachers of end-of-life care, and I am deeply indebted to you.

First of all, I want to acknowledge Rev. Timothy Shipe, who serves as ACPE Supervisor at Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care and was my Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor when I was a Chaplain Intern. Thank you, Tim, for you quiet demeanor, your brilliant insights, and your fearlessness in confronting our student errors. You are a great teacher.

I also want to acknowledge my family and friends who have supported me in this effort.

Contents

Elyse

Me

More about Me’s World

The Fear Returns

Elyse in Me’s World

Elyse’s Next Adventure

About the Author

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ELYSE

Elyse has cancer, and she’s scared. Her doctor, who thought Elyse might have cancer, sent her to City Children’s Hospital for testing. Elyse was so frightened about