IT’S A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

For most people, the word death instantly strikes fear and horror in their hearts. They think of the difficulty of no longer being around family and friends, and they feel there are too many unchecked items on their bucket list.

And then there is fear of what comes in the afterlife. Is there a heaven and a hell? Is there life after death? Will we come back reincarnated as a human or an animal and once again enjoy the pleasures of an earthly life? Does it bring an eternal void of nothingness?

Here’s something everyone needs to remember: When it comes to preventing death, we are completely powerless. Despite our mightiest and bravest efforts, trying to keep ourselves out of a casket or urn will ultimately end in failure.

That brings me to this month’s issue. For several years, our chief creative officer, Jamie Mark, has suggested having an issue of Healthy Living dedicated to the very topic I mentioned above—death. I was always hesitant to go forward with the idea because, like so many people, I felt it was too dark and grim of a subject.

In recent months, though, my thought process has changed. Death is a natural part of life, and it is certainly not a topic we should sweep under the rug. If we talk openly about death, then we will be better prepared to face the deaths of our loved ones and, ultimately, our own.

This issue is designed to show death in a more uplifting way. We’re highlighting several people, including a funeral director and medical examiner, who see death everyday and still love their jobs. We also talked to a death row inmate who, despite facing execution, has developed a relationship with God. We even delve into the importance of end-of-life planning so your loved ones won’t be left with the burden of handling your legal and financial matters.

We hope you enjoy this issue. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll come away looking at death in a brand-new way. It is, after all, part of life and something that should not be universally feared.

Sincerely,

KENDRA AKERS publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

LEIGH NEELY staff writer/copy editor leigh@akersmediagroup.com

MICHELLE CLARK staff writer michelle@akersmediagroup.com

SHEMIR WILES staff writer shemir@akersmediagroup.com

JOE DELEON creative director joe@akersmediagroup.com

STEVEN J. CODRARO senior art director steve@akersmediagroup.com

JOSH CLARK senior designer josh@akersmediagroup.com

MICHAEL GAULIN production director michael@akersmediagroup.com

FRED LOPEZ chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS//PHOTOGRAPHERS

ROZ ANDREWS KIM BADEN-KRISTENSEN PASTOR DAVID BRABHAM

CIELE EDWARDS FRED HILTON DAVE RAMSEY

SALES // MARKETING

TIM MCRAE vice president of sales tim@akersmediagroup.com

HEIDI RESSLER account representative heidi@akersmediagroup.com

DAVD COTE director of marketing david@akersmediagroup.com

MIKE STEGALL senior account representative mike@akersmediagroup.com

LYNNE KELLEY account representative lynne@akersmediagroup.com

MELANIE MELVIN director of client services melanie@akerscreative.com

Administration

DEB MATLOCK office manager deb@akersmediagroup.com

AUBREY AKERS advertising coordinator aubrey@akersmediagroup.com

DISTRIBUTION

SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Kendra Akers