The Nobody Nose Club
The Nobody Nose Club was conceived after a beautiful conversation about end of life with one of my palliative care patients. Our discussion resembled many conversations I’ve had over the years with patients, but on this day we ended up giggling more than usual when discussing the age-old questions: What happens when we die? What is a soul? Is there an afterlife?
We discussed various theories, stories, and possibilities about what happens after our bodies stop working and we no longer live in this human experience. By the end of our discussion we confidently concluded that many people claim to know the answers, but the only known fact is that nobody really knows and this fact left us in a peaceful state of silly comfort
Later that day… I was with friends working on some creative art projects. We started to dream up different types of silly clubs and names for those clubs. With gusto I blurted out, “How about the Nobody Nose Club?” Nose instead of knows. Why? Nobody Nose.
Per usual, my friends laughed at the silly idea and carried on, but I went home and ran with it. I had my husband draw me a nose and help design our club sticker. Eventually, I got help from my friend to design my founder's jacket.
Since the conception and creation of this club I’ve been handing out Nobody Nose stickers to strangers and friends whenever a conversation leads us down an inquisitive conversation. Often these conversations end with the question, “Who knows?” Nobody Nose
It's fascinating to notice how many conversations, articles, studies and philosophies conclude that we really just don’t know the answers or reasons for so many things in life. It's mysterious and magical, and to accept this can feel glorious.
My life’s work has been to find a personal and professional role that brings attention to some of the most meaningful aspects of being human, aging, and confronting the end of life. Often this stage of life is ignored and neglected by our culture. Over my 30 years of working as a social worker and patient advocate, I have collected tools and information that help bring attention and comfort to this stage of life. There may not be definitive answers to the mysterious questions about life and death, but what helps us most is connection, love, and humor. In a silly way The Nobody Nose Club helps to encapsulate all of this and sharing a moment, a sticker or laugh is a simple gesture of connection, love and humor.
The Nobody Nose Club sticker and pledge are reminders for everyone to lean into the mystery and find comfort in the not knowing.
To order stickers Venmo me at @jacqueline-smith-184
1 for $3
2 for $5
10 for $20