18 Minutes: A Daughter's Primer on Life & Death is part love letter, part cautionary tale and part instructional manual chronicling one daughter's experience during the final 18 minutes of her mother's life. For most, the death of a parent is painful at any age. Susan and her mother, Jean, were exceptionally close, communicating daily via email and phone. Weekend mystery trips were a must. Susan could not imagine a time when her mother would no longer be with her, but Jean knew that day eventually would come. So when she turned 85, Jean wisely told her daughter it was time for her to attend "When Mom Dies School," even though Susan would have rather skipped class.

Reading this book, and vicariously going to "When Mom Dies School" will provide a road-map and help prepare you to navigate an extremely difficult time with patience, competence and, most of all, love.