I got a chuckle and thought Life Coaches would enjoy this story.... my 93 year old aunt lives in a small town in the Midwest and when she was in the hospital a few years ago after surgery for a broken hip, I was the only one who seemingly could get her to do what the medical staff needed done in order to keep her alive (oxygen, blood, etc). Yes, she was being contrary, belligerent, and has a strong belief in not being hooked to artificial life support, which she was mistaking for all of the tubes attached to her. I stayed with her round the clock for weeks and got to know the doctors, nurses, and aftercare staff on a first name basis. They only knew me as a Life Coach because of the techniques I used with her, and I could take so much time to be with her and still run my business from my phone... which was extremely foreign to their thinking.

So when my aunt's health began failing these past few weeks (they believe she has suffered a few strokes, but no permanent results, thank goodness), the call I received said, "We think you need to come back and breathe life into your aunt. That's what a life coach does, right?... coach people back into life." How taken aback I was by their perception. Of course, we are not givers of life, but it certainly made me think how the 'outside world' views the role we play in helping people get back into the game of life.

I know the inevitable is about to happen. My aunt's heart is failing and there is absolutely nothing I can do to change that. She is as tired and frail as I've ever seen her - but at least this week, her spirit is high and she is talking about the homemade noodles she makes every year for our Thanksgiving family gathering. I'd like to think she will be here for that.