By Isle of Wight Observer
Ventnor author and Mountbatten Hospice Spiritual Care Lead Rosie Deedes has had her first book published. ‘Into the depths’ subtitled ‘A Chaplain’s reflections on death, dying and pastoral care’, is based on Rosie’s 20-year experience of chaplaincy work at the Hospice, in the Isle of Wight prison, and in two women’s prisons before that.
‘Into the depths’ focusses on death and dying, which are often taboo subjects. Rosie hopes that, like the wider hospice movement, the book will help people to face the taboo of death, and take away some of the fears that surround it. It seeks to encourage people to think about their mortality, to be more comfortable and open about dying, and to be better prepared practically and emotionally when faced with death.
Rosie said: “In accompanying people to the point of death, and in supporting those who have been bereaved in a hospice and prisons, I have learned the healing act of listening. It is an art and a skill to listen with compassion, kindness, without judgement or a desire to problem-solve. I hope that my reflections on attentive listening will help others to develop this gift for themselves.”
Although the subject is death and dying this is ultimately a life-affirming book. Rosie hopes that it will help anyone facing death, which means all of us sooner or later, to think about important issues, and that by doing so we will discover how to die well, and to live well until we do.
