Unseen

A death doula is steward of time, we are born to live and die.

56 elders were under my care as an Activity Director during the pandemic, no one got sick, yes, we were all vaccinated. I honed my skill as a restorative therapist; practicing the art of circulation therapy. Using techniques of toe tensing, fingertip grounding, tuning fork frequency therapy. These were modalities that started dialogs for the real work to be done; listening and understanding.

The unseen, quiet moments of clarity, that have led me to this calling. Providing the bridge to create legacy, meaning and defining what is a death doula. Filling a gap between the work of the family and perhaps clergy.

On average, I saw a patient load of 36 patients a day while at ATI Physical Therapy, working under the direction of a Doctor of Physical Therapy. For 14 months, I learned about injury recovery, honing my knowledge of isometrics, to move the muscle without joint strain. The exercises, that started dialogs for the real work to be done; listening and understanding.

The unseen, quiet moments of motivation, that have led me to this calling. Providing purpose, direction and cognitive stimulation while I define what is a death doula. Filling a gap between the work of family and therapist.

As a daughter who has been an power of attorney and signed a DNR order and posted it on the door. In those moments of grief when my Father’s died, I gained clarity of unseen emotions, in the frantic moments of settling an estate, clearing a life’s worth of things. Collecting what was sentimental to remember and donating of the rest. Providing the bridge to creating space for living, further defined what is a death doula. Filling a gap between the work of family, neighbors and community.

These experiences have shaped who I am today; a Death Doula. A bridge between life and death. A transition practioner, who listens, records and distills the unseen.