Do you need an obituary or eulogy  written in a limited amount of time? I have 20+ years experience as a writer and offer this service with excellent rates. Please get in touch via milnerwriting@gmail.com (monitored for new emails with notifications enabled) or at 506 639 3738 (Cell/Text).

Provided here is an obituary written for a client within 24 hours:

Portrait of a Life

Karen Smith

 

If you knew Karen Smith, then you will not be surprised that we have already celebrated her life.

 

When Karen found out that the cancer ravaging her pancreas was terminal, she spent her remaining time planning and throwing a memorable party where she could enjoy the company of her family and friends one more time. Her philosophy was always – ‘Why come to my funeral? Make time to visit with me when I am alive!’

 

So it came to fruition that three short weeks ago, we all gathered to share joyful reminisces, look through photos of days gone past, and sat down to a delicious dinner - with Karen at the centre of it all.

 

This past Tuesday, May 6^th, was Karen’s last day with us. She passed quietly just at twilight but the welcoming she received when she passed on was surely celebratory beyond imagination with the harmony of choruses sung by the Angels.

 

Our broken hearts at her loss will be mended knowing that she is free of the pain that kept her from doing the many things she loved and that her soul lives on for an eternity. We will all continue moving forward with Karen watching over us.

 

Karen graduated from Mount Garrauount High School and went on to earn a degree in business administration. She spent the entirety of her working life with BLK Communications climbing her way from a receptionist to the head of human resources.  

 

She championed the importance of respect between co-workers and made it a priority to settle workplace conflicts expeditiously which often required accommodations for those involved.

 

Outside of her employment, she continued her talent for dispute resolution whenever an issue arose. Her advice was always appreciated and she used ‘common ground’ to develop her many personal relationships. Karen carried no prejudices and always went by the adage, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.’

 

Karen’s life was chronicled by her many adventures shared with family and friends. From her senior high school year class trip to New York City to the many vacations with her husband and children, Karen was far from a home body. Visits to places nearby her home as well as overseas gave her a chance to experience how the locals live. When she was still single, her and her traveling companions would usually forgo the usual organized excursions and set off on their own to explore the area. She said the locals always knew where to find the best restaurants and the phenomenal hidden gems.

 

Both her family and friends were the building blocks she used to create an extended support system that was important as she faced her last few months in excruciating pain and the weakening of her physical and mental abilities.

 

Karen leaves behind a memory of her in the heart of everyone she loved. These remembrances will get them through the tough times ahead.

 

We thank each person who made Karen’s final days comfortable. We will not post a list identifying you all as we would surely forget to include someone.

 

Left here to carry on her legacy is her husband of 48 years, Kevin, and her children, Amanda (Gregory Townsend) and Alexander (Orillia). She also leaves her sister, Maryann (the late Shawn Cavet) and her brother, Curtis (Susanna) and their children, Rory and Lacy Townsend and Sara Cavet.

 

Karen’s family that went on before her time were her parents, George and Mabel Garnett, her infant sister Diana along with several aunts, uncles, and extended family members.

 

Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held June 6^th at 2:00 PM, Fairfield Cemetery with a time of fellowship to follow at The Gathering Place on Rosewood Avenue.

 

 Would you like to write your own obituary/eulogy where you choose the last words left for your loved ones after you pass? As a writer with over 20 years experience I can help with this task. Please get in touch via milnerwriting@gmail.com (monitored throughout the day with notifications enabled) or via cell/text using 506 639 3738. 

Here is a eulogy I penned for a client: 

Adieu

By: Katherine Watson

 

        If my beloved granddaughter, Grace, is reading this memoir aloud then I have seen my last tomorrow. This is my final journal entry, my own eulogy, saving everyone the anxiety of figuring out what to say now that I have passed on to whatever comes next.

        My promise to every one of you, given at different times – I could not vow that I would be here for the rest of your life, but I pledged to be here for the rest of mine.

        I knew five months ago that the diagnosis of Glioblastoma would ensure that I would not live to comb my grey hair. Please understand that I did not share this with you earlier as I wanted the time I had left to be normal and without my loved ones starting to grieve before my time here was over. Before my symptoms became most troubling, I did give you time to say your last words before I slipped into a coma then gently drifted away.

        Instead of plying you with memories of our time together, I will share only a couple where we were all together and decidedly not at a funeral or wedding. Words of wisdom and advice that were present throughout my life here is a better way, I think, to say my farewell.

        It was July 22^nd, 2015 and we were all enjoying our family reunion. Planning that special weekend was made all the more sweet because everyone who wanted to be there were able to attend. Those five days filled with BBQs, playing washers and horseshoes along with the entertainment of you all belting out your favorite tunes via karaoke made memories, well documented with photos and videos, that will last all of you a lifetime.

        On September 1^st, 2019, we were able to pull off another reunion where our family and friends spent a magical 10 days at Disney World. We put on a lot of miles park-hopping, enjoying shows and rides inside air-conditioned buildings, and were even able to score two nights where all of us could eat together. It has warmed my heart to look at all of the photos taken by Disney photographers. They truly documented our Disney adventures so we didn’t have to see one another from behind a camera lens. I am sure you all remember and smile, or even giggle, when you think about the epic water blaster competition that took us in and out of the resort. It was awesome that the staff left everyone one of their own to soak their opponents.

        Over my years as a resident on this planet, I have learned a lot about our species when it comes to being a happy and productive citizen. As well, I have taken advice, given in kind, that has made life easier and more enjoyable. Here, I give you bits that I have used that made me a better person in addition to helping me become acclimatized to this often challenging time we have here on earth.

When you are pregnant, don’t find out if it will be a boy or a girl. There are few surprises that are truly fun so take advantage of this one. You know it is going to be a boy or a girl so wait until the moment of their birth to find out. It makes the birth exponentially more exciting! Sure you can have a much anticipated ‘reveal’ party, but make the balloons and cake yellow and tell everyone they will find out whether it is a boy or a girl when you give birth.

Please do not practice what John Steinbeck described as ‘inactive kindness’. When you tell someone you will be there if they need you or that you will visit more often, make good on those commitments. Many times, people already have an excuse ready, in regards to why they can’t help, before they are even called on for their assistance. Consider your priorities carefully and reorder them if needed. Being there when someone calls on you trumps the errands you were planning to do that day or the two hours you were going to spend reading.

Always engage your brain before you speak – in any situation. You can apologize for saying words, but they can never be unsaid. Also, note that the phrase ‘forgive and forget’ is inaccurate. You can always forgive someone but you can’t forget what they did.

Be careful of what makes its’ way into your brain. You cannot ‘unsee’ an atrocity shown in an online video nor can you ‘unhear’ a blood-curdling scream in an intense horror movie.

Give your loved ones ‘unconditional love’ and guard their secrets. Everyone needs someone in their life that they can trust that will not turn their confidences into gossip. Be that person.

I will conclude with a bible verse, poem and, song that you can use to help you through your grief – yes THROUGH your grief. There is no way around allowing yourself to grieve. You cannot outrun it as it will be nipping at your ankles no matter how fast you run away. Let yourself heal both mentally and physically as grief can drain you of energy and rob you of sleep. Look forward, not back, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

My faith is strong and I am there, just beyond the veil – nudging you forward when life gets tough, perched on your shoulder and stroking your cheek when tears flow, and being your best cheerleader from the other side.

Until we meet again…

From the Bible, Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

A beautifully written poem by Mary Lee Hall:

 

Turn Again to Life

 

If I should die and leave you here a while

be not like others – sore, undone – who keep

long vigils by the silent dust and weep.

For my sake – turn again to life and smile,

Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do

something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.

Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine

and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

 

A song to get you through those hard times:

 

Be Not Afraid

John Michael Talbot

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQr4udSiEew

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

       

       

  NEXT GENERATION SHORT STORY AWARDS 2025

I am pleased to have been chosen as a finalist in the NEXT GENERATION SHORT STORY AWARDS 2025 for my entry, 'Memento Mori'.

I have also received this medal to use as I wish.

Welcome, Editors and Fellow Writers

 

Hello, Editors and Readers

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Articles appearing here have been written exclusively by me and  published elsewhere for a variety of clients.

When posted here, it indicates that the articles are behind a paywall or their online links are no longer active.

Posted articles and other material serve two demographics:

Editors who wish to gauge the quality of my work.

Readers who gain knowledge and are entertained by the articles.

Please feel free to contact me using milnerwriting@gmail.com if you want an article from a specific genre published here and I will try to accommodate your request. Editors are welcome to contact me to discuss their writing needs. 

My work is never written using any grammar or AI program. I do, however, use an online thesaurus.

I will also, at times, post my fictional writing here or via a link to read the piece.

Also, I am in the process of setting up two subscription services (with assistance from others). There will be posts as we near the launch of these subscriptions with some cryptic references to keep you guessing. For now, one has a word that rhymes with 'smidget' in the title and two, a word that rhymes with 'slider' in the title. Happy guessing!

Some worthy advice: Don't trust atoms. They make up everything. 

 

 

Blacklist the Shovels and Subpoena the Daffodils!

Seize the Moment and Get Your Spring On!

 

Albeit it a little tardy and none too weary, Spring has ultimately decided to breeze in.  The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is finally in sight and, for once, it is not an oncoming train.

Let's start by prying the remote control out of your hand, shaking the dust bunnies off your spring jacket, and clearing the cobwebs out of your deck shoes.  Next, let's get you to open that front door, take in a deep breath of the clean, crisp spring air and take the first step out of hibernation and back into the world.

Now that we have you upright and the blood is pumping through your body again, we have to find something to keep you occupied so you do not go running back to the sofa and your TV subscriptions.

There are interminable ways to embrace the season of renewal. Here are some options to get you motivated.

Volunteers are welcome in most any organization. Several months have passed since the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and now most places are running short on donations and of people, their most valuable resource. Take a morning a week to walk dogs at a local shelter, visit a senior and take them outside for some fresh air, collect donations door to door for your favourite charity. There are an abundance of ways to 'pay it forward'.

An excursion into the woods makes for a great way to get back in touch with nature. Your nose will appreciate the crisp, fresh air and a good night's sleep is guaranteed. Strolling through the forest, you are sure to melt into the rejuvenation that surrounds you, alone with just your thoughts and the occasional sparrow, but remember to stick to the trail. You really do not want to spend the night shivering beside a tree.

Local tourist venues begin to open in the late spring. We sometimes forget about the gems that are right in our own backyard. Try being a 'tourist for a day'. Pick up an activities guide usually available from local merchants or locate one on the Internet. An afternoon spent at an indoor water park with the kids or a tour of a historic landmark has the added benefit of likely being in the off season with a bonus for you - cheaper rates. You will also find that many attractions offer discounts and you do not have to be a visitor from out of town to take advantage of them.

Spring is a time for renewal, so why not revitalize yourself with a day at the spa? After a harrowing winter, you deserve some pampering. Bring a friend and double the fun! Be sure to check local advertising and the Internet for coupons that offer savings.

Join a walking club. If you cannot find one in existence, start one yourself. Simply place free ads on regional Internet sites and put up notices on community boards stating where and when to meet. Many malls are open early to accommodate walkers when the weather is rainy or unseasonably cold. You can also check with places like the local arenas. Even if the floor is occupied, you may be able to walk behind the bleachers. Walking is considerably more enjoyable when it is shared with others and everyone can go at their own pace. Most people prefer to walk outside whenever possible, however, if you are targeting seniors for your group, they may feel more comfortable walking inside on a flat service with no inclines.

This is an excellent time to invest in a bicycle. Not only is cycling an awesome way to get into exceptional physical shape, there are so many biking trails that you can go off road in many places and partake in some extraordinary scenery. If your budget is an issue, classified ads on the Internet or in the newspaper will often heed results or check with the police who may offer auctions for items recovered but unclaimed, including bicycles. People are always upgrading and wanting to sell bicycles they no longer use. If you have a partner and want to try something original and immensely entertaining, purchase a tandem bike. With two of you sharing the pedalling, the climb up those hills will be a breeze.

Spring is an optimal time for a visit to the zoo. On hot summer days, the resident animals stay inside or lay in the tall grass and under trees to escape the heat. In the spring, the animals are more apt to be roaming about in the coolness of the air, giving you a better chance to observe them. This is the time of year when you will really get your money's worth.

Now is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor and indoor adventures. When inclement weather is a factor, as it may be throughout the spring, get out of your house but go inside either on your own or with your family. When the weather is favorable, find outdoor adventures that nurture your body and your mind.

Check my blog for more articles: https://pminkslinger.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

Getting Your House Ship Shape and Ready for Spring

 

Spring! Time to swap your snow blower for a rake and your mittens for a pair of gardening gloves. Over the winter, there has been stuff going on under those mountains of snow. As you transition from winter to spring, there are some important chores that need tending to.

As soon as the snow is gone, clean up any leaves, twigs, dead grass, etc. in order to allow for new growth. Also, cut off any dead branches from trees and shrubs.

Survey any destruction to your lawn sustained over the winter. Depending on the amount of damage, you may be able to do the repairs yourself with a bag of grass seed or you may have to hire professionals to hydro seed your lawn.

            Check your roof for any missing shingles or tabs. If you need to call a roofer, it is better to call them now considering when the construction season gets into full gear it will be more difficult and a longer wait time to get a service call answered. If your roof has asphalt shingles and there are crows about, beware! Crows have been known to destroy roofs over period of time because they are after the tiny bits of gravel on each shingle. Head on over to the Internet for various ways to dissuade the crows or banish them all together.

If you have an outdoor water tap, ensure that there is no leak in the pipe. If water was inadvertently left in the tap and froze over the winter, the pipe may have burst. If you turn the tap on without first checking the pipe, you could have water pouring into your home instead of onto your lawn.

Gravel driveways are great except in the winter when snow plows, snow blowers, and shovels push some of the gravel onto your lawn. Survey your grass and rake any gravel back into the driveway so it is not picked up by a lawn mower and turned into a projectile that could cause damage to property or injury to nearby persons.

 

Even if your barbeque has been covered for the winter, you should check that all connections to the propane tank are secure with no damage or leaks in the line. Cover the lines with soap suds. When you turn on the propane, any leaks will cause bubbles to form.

If you want specific shrubs or trees for your landscaping needs, place your order at your local nursery early so you can have first pick of what is available. You should also ask nursery staff what is new for the season.

Many people change the batteries in their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors when the time changes for daylight saving. If you have not done so, now is an opportune time to be sure those life saving alarms are in good working order.

Turn on your air conditioning to be sure the system does not have any issues. At this time of year, you can easily get someone to come for a service call. You do not want to wait until the first heat wave to find out your air conditioner isn't working. This is the same time everyone else will be finding issues in their systems and technicians will be difficult to get and wait times can be long for service.

Salt is a corrosive material that will damage your concrete garage floor. If you have a garage, you should wash out all of the salt so there is no damage to the concrete structure.

Even if you have had no flooding issues in the past, you should regularly check your basement for water, especially during the spring runoff.  Your house insurance will not cover flooding caused by melting snow unless you have a specific endorsement on your policy.

This is a good time of year to check your dryer vent attachment. Over the course of many months, the attachment that runs from the dryer to the outdoor vent can become dislodged and/or clogged which could lead to a fire. If you are still using a plastic dryer hose, immediately invest in a metal one. Due to the fire hazard, plastic vent material is no longer up to code.

 

Take advantage of spring clean up day that is offered in many communities. It is a perfect opportunity to dispose of things that are no longer needed and are taking up space around your house.

Handling these tasks now while they are maintenance issues will save you money later when neglected chores become costly repairs.  Get the whole family involved and these items will fly off your list, leaving you plenty of time to get out and enjoy the spring weather.