The Village Healer

end of life

  • “That’s Why We Have Hospice…”

    A most common response to the offer of an End of Life Sacred Attendant I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard that response from professionals. I came across this article (see link below) and though it is a VERY… Continue reading

    “That’s Why We Have Hospice…”

  • Why Throw A Living Memorial?

    My husband turned 70 this week and the pre-Corona plan was to throw him an Honor Dinner (or Living Memorial) to celebrate his life. Now you might be asking what is the difference between an Honor Dinner and a birthday… Continue reading

    Why Throw A Living Memorial?

  • Pandemic Traumatic Grief

    To a certain degree there is trauma in every loss, whether it is the unexpectedness of it, the suffering of it, the impact of it, the violence of it or the massiveness of it. Every loss has an element of… Continue reading

  • The Story Of Hope

    I come into people’s lives at times when hope is challenged. I hear phrases such as, “we aren’t giving up hope”, “there’s no hope” and “it’s hopeless”. Individuals often describe feeling hopeless as well. Hope is not a feeling. It… Continue reading

    The Story Of Hope

  • Carol

    Holistic Support In Uncertain Times Carol was the neighborhood mom of my adolescence. Carol’s daughter, Marsha, and my younger sister were the best of friends. While in our youth we were not allies, as we grew into adulthood we grew… Continue reading

    Carol

  • Employee End of Life Benefits

    In my 30 year career I have worked several places and not one employer had what I call sufficient support for those who were bereaved. Not even the hospices. Three days of paid leave and maybe some flowers. That’s usually… 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

  • 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

  • Why ‘Sacred Healing Facilitator’?

    For those who have been following me for awhile, you might have noticed I have changed ‘titles’ several times. It has never been easy ascribing myself a label. I’ve always lived with the idea that I don’t have a box,… Continue reading

  • A Late Announcement Is Better Than None At All…

    Some of you have followed me for a long time from Namaste` Holistic Services, The Sentient Soul, WillowSong Medicine Woman to Mystic Willow. Some of you have known me as Judy Polimac, Judy Edwards, Judy Klemos and from Judy, to… Continue reading