So This Is the End

by Alexandra Franzen

  6.The ending of the story is somewhat ambiguous. Nora appears to be alive once again, but for how long? Minutes? Hours? Years? What do you think the ending means? What do you think happens next for Nora and Ren?

  7.Did this story inspire you to call your parents, hug your kids, kiss your partner, or approach your life differently in some way? What’s your takeaway or “aha” moment from this story?

  Thank You

  Brandon. I hope we get reincarnated together a million times.

  Mom and Dad. Thanks for having sex in Mexico so that I could be born! Good job!

  Ben and Olivia. How is it possible that I got the most amazing mom and dad … and also the best brother and sister? I love you guys so much.

  Melissa and Nicole. Our email conversations make me cackle with laughter. You’re both so inspiring to me, and I’m honored to be your friend.

  Dyana. You always say to me, “I’m glad you’re on the planet.” I’m glad you’re on the planet, too.

  David Wagner. Your book, Life As a Daymaker, changed my life.

  David Blaine. We’ve never met, but your magic makes me believe that anything is possible. You inspire me greatly.

  RuPaul. We’ve never met, either, but you’re one of the biggest influences in my life. From you, I learned that “we’re all born naked, and the rest is drag.” Life is a blank canvas. We can shape ourselves into anything we want.

  Google. Thanks for all the info on cardiac arrest, Cambridge, Minneapolis street maps, and other stuff that I didn’t know and/or forgot. You’re seriously the smartest.

  Spotify. I’d be lost without you! Thanks for the endless supply of music. (I made a playlist while writing this book and listened to it almost constantly. It’s at http://bit.ly/so-this-is-the-end-playlist.)

  My newsletter and blog readers. For almost a decade, I’ve shared personal stories (and sometimes, fictional stories) online. I’m blessed to have the most supportive, compassionate, and enthusiastic Internet family. Thanks for rolling with me.

  You. Oh my gosh! You read my book? For real? That’s surreal and amazing. Thank you. I hope you enjoyed it.

  Alexandra Franzen

  Alexandra Franzen is a writer based in Portland, Oregon, where she lives with her sweetheart Brandon and a dog named Dudley.

  Her writing has been featured in places like Time, Forbes, Newsweek, The Huffington Post, and Lifehacker. She’s been mentioned in places like The New York Times Small Business Blog, The Atlantic, and Inc.

  Alexandra writes a free weekly newsletter where she shares personal stories and thoughts on creativity, dealing with adversity, taking risks, building courage, designing a meaningful life, and how to create a positive ripple in the world. It’s been praised as “One of the 14 newsletters you need in your inbox” by Brit+Co.

  You’ll find info about Alexandra’s newsletter, books, and upcoming events at: AlexandraFranzen.com

  “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”

  —Marcus Aurelius