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Collateral Damage
I am the quiet one. The observer. I often share very little deep personal stuff on social media platforms, and if I’m honest I share very little deep personal stuff in my friendships as well. I often am the space holder. I offer empathy and compassion to those who are revealing very deep and personal […]
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Revising The Concept Of Dying Well
The driving force of the death care community right now, is a death positive movement that claims everyone has the right to die well. There are sub-sections within that as well, like racially based movements intended to give people of color the same right to die well as those with white privilege. There are LGBT […]
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Change Is Coming
My morning ritual usually includes drinking my tea while watching the wildlife in our yard. Each day varies, but we receive frequent visits from Canadian Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Red-Winged Black Birds, Mourning Doves and Starlings. Lately, a little Groundhog we named Gladys has joined the gatherings. In addition, you can always […]
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Learning To Live And Grieve
Almost everyone has heard of the Five Stages of Grief made famous by Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross. Many of you may also have heard that she presented this as the grief process related to those who receive a terminal diagnosis (and those who love them) and NOT the grief of the bereaved who are mourning the […]
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The Good Death
The Good Death When I’m dying, I want it to be slow. Not slow like a hot Sunday service in an old church, Nor any Tuesday at a job that sucked my soul; But slow like watching sunsets rocking on back porches, And fishing off the end of a lake house pier. I want slow […]
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The Thing About Grief…
Even with all its flaws today, I can see how our society has evolved in many ways in my relatively short time on Earth. It used to be that bereavement leave was only granted to individuals upon the death of legally recognized family members. Someone who was estranged from their parent could take days off […]
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Healing Rites of Passage
During a discovery call recently the person on the other end of the phone gasped and suddenly asked, “Is that what this is? Is this a healing rite of passage?” Yes. Yes, my love, that’s what this is. Life is filled with rites of passage; expected and unexpected; wanted and unwanted; celebratory and grievous. Some, […]
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So, You Want To Be An End of Life Doula…
Maybe you’ve taken care of your parents as they took their last breaths. Maybe you’ve taken care of your own spouse or another relative as they died. There is a sense of purpose that fills you. A higher sense of purpose than you’ve ever experienced before. As time passes, though, it leaves you wanting more. […]
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Life’s A Beach
I’ve seen this cute little phrase on home decor for years now, but the deeper meaning only just now struck me. Am I late? Is this what it meant all along? I really just thought it was a cute positive reframing of ‘Life’s A Bitch’. Did you know? My daughter went on a little trip […]
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Who Would I Be?
I think a lot about a lot of things. Sometimes those things become blog posts; sometimes they don’t. It’s anyone’s guess why some make it and other’s don’t. It just depends on my need to get it out into the world. There is no rhyme or reason beyond that. It’s all in an attempt to […]
Healing Rites of Passage
Spiritual Medicine
Healing Rites of Passage 