Dear Silja

Silja is a joyful person and has her own special ways of making life magical. She has wonderful friends, a successful career and diverse interests and hobbies.

She falls ill with ME/CFS* and bit by bit has to give up on all of of the above. In the end, she decides that the only wholesome step she can take next is to end her life.

This is the story of how her sister Birte and her family and friends deal with Silja's last weeks and her death. It is a story of care-taking, grief and pain, but also one of community, deep connection and - in the end - love for life.

*Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is a severe multisystemic disease that is quite common, but poorly understood.

Keywords: ME/CFS, LongCovid, PostCovid, caregiving, assisted suicide, death with dignity, grief, death, mourning, personal development, relationships

Birte Viermann is a psychologist, change coach and bodyworker. "Dear Silja, ..." is her first book.