The statistics are stark: 90% of people say that talking to loved ones about end of life medical decisions is important: but only 27% have done so.  As hard and awkward as it is to think about medical choices that will confront you or loved ones as death approaches, it’s even harder to have those conversations when an ambulance arrives or in the ICU. None of us has easy facility with the language these conversations require. That’s where The Conversation Project comes in. Started by nationally renowned columnist Ellen Goodman, and featuring an esteemed advisory board of some of the most knowledgeable professionals out there, The Conversation Project website has downloadable conversation guides, in a host of languages, to help you start the talk and figure out your values and preferences.  Before you can walk the walk, you need to talk the talk: so Read This.