This is why I know what Mary Landberg is offering to families with a loved one in hospice care is truly a gift and I know you will enjoy reading Mary’s post about her very special project. She has generously offered to give away a copy of her book as well, so be sure to check out the giveaway details at the end of this post. Her photographs are truly inspiring. You cannot help but be moved when you look at them. Yes, you see individuals at the end of life, but mostly you see love. I had trouble choosing just three portraits to share with you from Mary’s wonderful selection, but you can view more on her Facebook page. Thank you, Mary for sharing about your amazing work.
“Why I Do What I Do”
by Mary Landberg
I am a hospice RN in rural southern Oregon. Though perhaps not many would choose to do what I do, for me it’s a tremendous privilege to spend time with the dying and I know I am a better person because of it. I am gifted with endless reminders of the value of selflessness and unconditional love. My faith in human connection is constantly renewed. My profession helps me be more of the person I want to be. All of my patients have been told they have six months or less to live. Along with such news comes a whirlwind of opportunities for me to help them live while they are still alive.
In return, I have learned how to be more present as well as how to live and love more fully.
In addition to being a hospice nurse, I am a photographer and I have been offering free hospice portraits to families for about four years. I strive to photograph that unwavering expression of love that endures between people dealing with terminal illness. Love is all that is left in the end; love is all that matters. To date, nearly 350 families have given me permission to bring my camera into a most sacred and vulnerable time in their lives. I gift the families a framed print and images on a CD. All costs for this service come out of my pocket. It is a way for me to give back.
I am on a mission to share with others the grand wisdom about living and dying that I have been gifted.
Click on image for more info about Mary’s book
Recently I authored a book called, Enduring Love: Inspiring Stories of Love and Wisdom at the End of Life. I also have another book in the works, The Last I Love You, scheduled for publication in 2015.
Enduring Love is a collection of over one hundred portraits of hospice patients and their families embracing love and life. Many portraits were taken on the last day of life, some within moments of the last breath. The portraits are accompanied with grand love stories, conversations with the dying, their advice for living, and the wisdom their illnesses have gifted them. There are glimpses into hospice care and the truth about what death and dying looks like.
It is my mission to travel the country with my portraits and stories speaking to as many people as possible about death.
Many people don’t start living until they know for sure they are dying. Then there is a rush to live their unlived life. There is an urgency to resolve old issues and create happy memories for the people they are leaving behind. They thought they would have more time. We are, after all, sometimes experts at postponing happiness. Why wait to live until death is knocking on your bedroom door?
Don’t wait; live fully and love fully right now. Through my photography, writing, and storytelling, I want to share this message with the world. I am honored to be able to do so by sharing portraits and wisdom gathered through my hospice work.
About Mary Landberg 
Mary Landberg, MPH, CHPN, is a hospice RN, celebrated author, and nationally award-winning photographer recognized by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Mary offers dynamic presentations to ease the fear of death, encourage conversation for best end of life planning, define the purpose of life, and to inspire people to love and live life fully while alive. Contact Mary via her website.
To enter my giveaway for a chance to win a FREE copy of Enduring Love, leave a comment stating you’d like to enter by 11 pm on Monday, November 24th CT. The winner will be announced shortly thereafter right here on this post. Also, feel free to share about how Mary’s portraits touch you, or feel free to ask her a question about her incredible work. I am in awe of what Mary does. What about you?
Below is a small sampling of Mary’s moving hospice portraits. You cannot help but be touched by them.
Beth L. Gainer
Wednesday 26th of November 2014
Thank you, Nancy, for lending Mary's voice to this guest post.
Mary, what you do is so important, I cannot express it in words. All I can say is "Wow" and to keep doing what you are doing. You have helped countless lives through your RN work and photography.
Nancy
Friday 28th of November 2014
Beth, "Wow" is a good word in this case. What Mary does is really something. So pleased to have featured a few of her thoughts and a few of her portraits via my blog. Thanks for reading and commenting, Beth.
Linda
Sunday 23rd of November 2014
This book sounds amazing-I would love to be entered in your giveaway :)
Nancy
Sunday 23rd of November 2014
Linda, You're in! And thank you for participating.
Lisa DeFerrari
Saturday 22nd of November 2014
Hospice care is an incredibly important area of work and not well appreciated or even understood. Thank you for sharing this post and the very touching photos. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway for the book.
Nancy
Sunday 23rd of November 2014
Lisa, I agree completely. Thank you for entering my giveaway. You're in!
karen sutherland
Saturday 22nd of November 2014
dear Nancy,
how lovely to share about this wonderful woman, this devoted and committed hospice nurse who has combined such beautiful and sacred portraits to enhance the story of her work - though I would hazard a guess that work is more of a calling, the gift of grace that enables her to be so honored and fulfilled to be fully present in the care she renders with such tenderness and skill. I, too, love and am so touched by the portrait of the dog. and I still recall from my own hospice experience how dying patients were so grateful that we included families' pets in our ministrations, taking the time to get to know their personalities, their feelings and how they expressed them, and always reassuring them and their persons of understanding the sanctity of the bonds they had formed. it was such a gift when we could actually see a pet respond when a patient was in pain and we flew into action to get that pain under control, whether it was physical or emotional pain relieved, one could almost hear a sigh of relief, and really see the effect it had on their pet - the look a gratitude in their faces, tails wagging happily, and such peaceful and more calm demeanors. thank you for sharing about Mary and her book. I know the lucky winner will treasure it.
much love to you, Nancy, and to Mary for the beautiful stories and portraits she has woven together, and for doing such meaningful and much needed work in speaking out about death and dying issues.
Karen xoxo
Nancy
Sunday 23rd of November 2014
Karen, I have such deep respect for people who work in hospice and I know you are one of them. Thank you. I am truly in awe of what Mary has done here via her portraits. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and yes, the dog portrait really tugged at my heart. I am so grateful our family pets were allowed to visit my mother when she was dying. xoxo
Sue W.
Friday 21st of November 2014
Amazing pictures. I would like to enter the contest and see more of the book. I work in a nursing home--would love to put the book on their shared reading table. To love and live life fully every day is something I too strive for.
Nancy
Friday 21st of November 2014
Sue, That's a wonderful idea to share it at the nursing home where you work. Thank you for participating. Good luck!