As a daughter who had to burry her mother (although not through assisted dying), this book was probably the hardest and most emotional read of my life, at times I wasn't even sure I could finish it.
The author offers a very interesting perspective, because she is not just a daughter who prepares for her mother's passing but also a medical professional who has seen many deaths, dealt with grieving families, although she was forever an outsider. I had the feeling all along that this duality was running through the narration, once the daughter, thoroughly involved in the events, and once the more or less level headed professional who knows what needs to be done. When I was going through a similar experience I found that having tasks to deal with, having to pretend that I was fine, having to display strength when all you want to do is to scream as loud as you can, was actually helpful to tame the grief and to retain my sanity.
An interesting aspect of this topic or question to debate (to me at least) is whether anyone who is not us, should have any right or saying in decisions we make about our own lives (and ending it). Let it be a government or levislation, claiming moral values, or a close family member full of love, caring, but also terrified of the loss they know is coming.

A very soul-shaking book and I will be under its effecta for a long time.

Thank you for the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

Review is available on GoodReads under my profile.

Such a beautifully written and expressed book about one woman’s experience when her mother, declining in health, chooses MAID- medically assisted in death. The author started a journal 3 months prior to the day her mother had chosen to transition, November 15th, her 80th birthday. Much of the experience was also shared with her two sisters as the day drew nearer. This was in Canada, the US has something similar in some states, but it is much more restricted as to how it’s done. In Canada it’s done using a physician (retired) and is done intravenously. In the US, apparently the patient has to take a lot of pills (90 to 100) dissolved in water, which risks vomiting all or part of it back up, with uncertain results.

This is a thoughtful & loving read by a family member who supported their Mother's decision to die with dignity vs suffer & prolong the inevitable. They also incorporate their Mother's devotion to her garden flowers with each chapter & how they arrive at the preparations for her final day.

On a personal note, I belong to an organization in Europe that will assist with my arrangements when the time comes. I often tell my Daughters that there will be 2 or 3 of us flying overseas & 1 less on the way back.

The author & her family are located in Canada where there are far more caring legislators & physicians who will support a patient's wishes vs the United States where too many are controlled by pharmaceutical & hospital PACs. That is only my opinion.

Because they wrote about a topic that needs to be front & center as we age or battle a terminal illness, this is a 4 star read.

I thank & applaud the author, the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair & honest review.

This is a beautiful and moving book.

As an adult grieving the loss of my mother, this book spoke to me in a time of need. I enjoyed the perspective on choosing to die, the background story of her mother’s (quite traumatic!) life and the fact that the author was a nurse herself.

The part I didn’t connect with was the relation to plants and the garden. That’s why I give it 4 stars. If you like horticulture I imagine you’d enjoy those analogies more, I just thought they were too plentiful could be toned down. You can still enjoy the book regardless :)

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

This book speaks to grief In a new way for me. A good way. Although the book is about her mother passing I can’t help but to relate it to my grandmothers passing. It made me cry, smile, laugh and grief what I thought I already had. The epilogue really got me.
My one critique which probably is just a me thing, the word “mom” was used way too often. It won’t be a problem to 99% of people but I noticed it so I thought I’d mention it. Other than that it’s a beautifully insightful story.