Beauty in Death

“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with the heart & the soul, there is no separation.”
-Rumi

My mom took her final breath on 11/19, the day after my parent’s 47th anniversary. She was surrounded by love through stories, song & beauty in the weeks & days leading up to her death. And for me, her death showed me how fiercely she advocated for life & love through her cancering journey for 40+ years.

I have learned that you can do all the preparing you think you need, but nothing can ever truly prepare your heart & soul for the death of your mother. I am forever grateful I prepared through death doula training, so that I could truly honor my mom’s body, mind & soul with love & reverence after she took her final rite of passage.

It was the most profound ceremony I have ever co-created on the New Moon in Scorpio. I was blessed to have my dad help support the cleansing, anointing and closing of her energy centers before we shrouded her with beauty. (Ceremony pics included below to share the beauty that can come from death).

The ocean of grief is vast, and I never know what the day will be - whether it feels as if the waves are crashing over me and pulling me under or just numb or it is sunny and calm. So I ride the waves, while surrendering into the support all around me inviting me to receive the love. As the wings of grief and gratitude stretch me wide and far, I continue to feel the echoes of her love ever present around me in small and big ways.

My prayer for each of you:
May you remember how precious each breath is…
May you savor every moment that you are given to stay open to all of life and love.