As highlighted in this interview, Harmon Killebrew envisioned dying at home surrounded by those he loved. And he did it. A key opportunity for changing Minnesota for the better, is planning ahead for the part of living called dying. It is a great gift not only to oneself, but a person's loved ones.

For the past couple months, the Citizens League, TPT and the Twin Cities Medical Society have been hosting focus groups as part of the Honoring Choices Minnesota initiative. Through these listening sessions and online at the social networking site CitiZing, they are learning what helps people prepare for difficult end-of-life decisions.

An excellent demonstration from La Crosse, Wisconsin shows that preparation can help people get the care that they want at the end of their lives, and it can make the experience much less stressful for both the patient and their family and friends. The Honoring Choices MN project is seeking to replicate this success in the Twin Cities. (Read more about these sessions and the project from the Citizens League.) Please join one of the upcoming listening sessions (RSVP below as space is limited): Tuesday, June 21, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., St. Paul

Wednesday, June 22, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Minneapolis: For this session, people who are under 40 years old are especially invited.. All sessions will be taped by TPT, and clips will be used on the Honoring Choices Minnesota website, www.honoringchoices.org. Space is limited, so please RSVP by contacting Annie Levenson-Falk at alevensonfalk[at]citizensleague.org or 651-293-0575 ext.16.