The Village Healer

death

  • 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… Continue reading

    The Good Death

  • What The Lack Of End Of Life Planning Really Costs

    I want to share a deeply personal story. At the time of his death my daughter’s father and I had been divorced for four years. During our 23 year marriage, because of my career, we always had open discussions about… Continue reading

    What The Lack Of End Of Life Planning Really Costs

  • To Tell, Or Not To Tell The Children, There’s No Question

    It is our job as parents to protect, nurture, and guide our children into whole human beings. It is our responsibility to do this to the best of our ability. If we do it right, the parenting role will take… Continue reading

    To Tell, Or Not To Tell The Children, There’s No Question

  • A Dialogue About Death

    Every story ever written has a beginning, middle and an end. Every author considers the end when first sitting down to write a storyline; However in the greatest story an individual will ever author, the end is often left unscripted.… Continue reading

    A Dialogue About Death

  • The Importance of Emotional Estate Planning

    True or False? “I’m not sick. I have plenty of time to do my emotional estate planning.” False. While it is never too late to start emotional estate planning, it is also never too early. Emotional estate planning should not… Continue reading

  • We Aren't Immortal

    “So I find myself speechless, an animal unheard of…my father is now on comfort care, unexpected to live past the weekend. Who prepares you for such a calamity of events? Who prepares you for a hostile mother, wickedness and comfortable… Continue reading

  • The Power of Presence

    It was a Monday, like any other Monday and I had a new patient to assess. Talking to the hospice nurse before I made my visit I learned that Violet had been admitted on Friday in stable condition was expected… Continue reading

  • When Death Comes – An End of Life Doula Perspective

    Early on Life taught me that it had a set of bookends named Birth and Death. I was not afforded the luxury of death denial. I understood clearly that death was always part of the deal. This perspective impacted my… Continue reading

  • Death Is Imminent

    When I try to explain how I can help with the last days or even with the grieving period, I get a little tongue tied. I don’t have a set formula or pat answers to any situation. What I have… Continue reading

    Death Is Imminent

  • Isn’t That What Hospice Is For?

    I spoke to a hospital chaplain the other day to speak to her about my end of life doula services. Her initial response to me was, “that’s what we have hospice for.” If you haven’t already, pause here to read… Continue reading