It’s true!

You blink and life changes… and before you know it the whole year has gone past since I last blogged!!! 

The year just gone (2023) has been one that has been abSOULutely fulfilling.

As one of Australia’s most active End of Life Doulas, and in my role as an independent Funeral Celebrant, I continue on this life’s journey of learning from spending time with the most interesting people that I have met along the way. Being with the well, the not-so-well, the dying, and those who have died, and their persons ~ family, friends, and carers ~ has touched my heart, mind and soul in a way that is hard to articulate in words.

It is indeed a very humbling, inspiring vocation.

At the end of last year, I spent time with one very, very special woman, on her deathbed. She was in a hospice where the staff were gentle and kind. And the solitary Christmas tree shone brightly and colourfully in the main foyer. A symbol of love and connection despite being the last Christmas for those residing there; and the last one together for the dying persons’ families and friends. The last Christmas for this inspiring lady who I had had the pleasure of knowing for 7 months.

As her End of Life Doula, she held my hand and thanked me for being with her on this ride. And we shared some tears. Kept holding hands. Listened to some of her favourite songs. Just listened… no words…just pure “silence” in amongst Jealous of the Angels and Sunshine on My Shoulders… And we just knew that there were no words that could truly convey the bond of sharing this most intimate of moments that comes with dying , whilst living up until that very last breath. Making sure final funeral plans were discussed. Talking about the letters she had written her grand-children. About relationships of love and healing. About her childhood. About her dreams and wishes. And how much she loved her husband’s singing voice and she hoped that maybe he would sing to her as she was dying. Or at least sing at her funeral or Wake (which he did) x

So it is people like this beautiful woman, and her family, that have entered my life and left their indelible footprints in my heart. This past year has been one of self-discovery and learning. I continue to build my confidence and comfort in this space. Whilst I continue to be humbled by the impact this has on my own life. My personal spiritual growth. My profound gratitude. And the unbelievable life learnings.

It’s hard. Very hard to put in words how the experience of working with the dying, and their families makes you a ‘better person’. It is with the utmost gratitude that I work in this end of life space. That I am humbly part of the transitions that occur at the end of life, and after. And the impact upon me as a person is HUGE. It is grounding. It is enriching.