I always knew I had heart disease—an inheritance from my mother and her whole family. I celebrated my 85th birthday in January, and I had experienced no symptoms. Then, BAM—come February, I nearly died more than once. But I didn’t.
Each time my heart would stop beating, I had the very same vision: being pushed back from somewhere. Later, when I was stabilized, it hit me—I wasn’t being allowed into heaven. God wasn’t ready for me yet, and He was in control.
A couple of months later, I began having strange aches and pains. After two ER visits and a slew of scans and tests, I was diagnosed with cancer—in my lung, my colon, and in all the lymph nodes that were biopsied.
People began to pray for me, and because of their prayers —I wasn’t worried.
When I underwent the biopsy, I was a high-risk patient, and somewhere deep down, I wondered if that procedure might be my ticket home to heaven. It wasn’t. Again—God wasn’t ready.
I asked Him, “Why am I still here? What use am I now?” I couldn’t help my family or others the way I always had—that had always been my joy.
And that’s when I heard a clear voice:
It said: “Teach them to die.”
Later that same day, my warm and wise cardiologist, Dr. Glenn Henry, called to check on me. I told him about the message I’d received. He said, “But first, you’ve got to teach them how to live.”
Those weren’t the words I heard—but they, too, are part of the story.
Odd as it may sound, I think this season of my life—even with this diagnosis—may be my favorite. It is a sacred journey, and I’m living it fully. I can do that because I always have.
And while I’ve never been one to offer advice, I feel deeply called—by the Most High—to share why my life has been so full, so complete, and so deeply joyful.
First of all, I have a strong faith in God, and Jesus Christ is my Savior.
Some of you may not share my beliefs—and I respect that—but this is my story.
I believe God is in control. He has a plan for my life. I’m just along for the ride—and what a beautiful ride it has been.
I’m not saying life is easy. It’s not. It can be hard, disappointing, heartbreaking, even devastating.
What I am saying is this:
Give your worries to God.
Do what you can. Make plans. Figure things out. But don’t worry. Don’t be anxious.
It’s not good for you.
Letting go of worry can be one of the greatest gifts of old age.
Have a grateful heart. To God and to man.
Be active. If you don’t do things when you’re young, they won’t be there for you when you’re old.
Eat clean, but enjoy treats in moderation.
Find exercise you love and do it with passion—and consistency. It will give you the stamina to enjoy old age.
Limit your time on social media, TV, gaming—and yes, even reading. These are fine in moderation, but too much can sap the life out of you.
Go outside. Sweat. Get dirty. It’s a beautiful world.
Play an instrument. Paint. Woodwork. Garden. Do what brings you joy.
Love your neighbor—that means everyone. Don’t judge. It’s a waste of time.
Don’t gossip or talk bad about people. It will harden your heart.
Don’t spend more than you earn. The anxiety is worse than the joy of the expenditure.
Be as generous as you’re able. You’ll be amazed how that generosity comes back to you tenfold.
Have a sense of humor—don’t take yourself too seriously.
Enjoy life. And in the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Learn what it had to teach… and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
But the voice I heard didn’t say “Teach them to live.”
It said: “Teach them to die.”
And here’s the lesson. It’s simple.
Place your entire life into the palm of God’s hands. Surrender.
He will care for you.
It may be a hard idea to grasp, especially at first—but once you do, everything begins to fall into place.
He has a plan for you.
He is in control.
You have nothing to fear.
Just accept His plan.
He will keep you wrapped in the warmth of His love.
Don’t worry about how much time you have left. Don’t waste energy wondering what the end will be like.
Just trust that He will take care of you on this sacred journey.
And in the meantime—live your life to the fullest. Right up to your very last breath.
Written and shared with her family during a weekend at DeSoto Falls, July 2025.
Photo: Jean's view from Blue Ridge Horizon - Halfway to Heaven.
Download & Share “Teach Them to Die” (PDF)
Jean’s powerful reflection, Teach Them to Die, has resonated deeply with readers around the world. We encourage you to download, print, and share this message of faith, peace, and legacy with others. Two versions are available:
Please feel free to share this document in memory of Jean and her hope to help others approach the end of life with grace and assurance. You can also read about the remarkable weekend she shared this reflection with her family, only days after learning of her diagnosis, here.
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