In the heart of life’s profound mysteries, love and loss intertwine in an eternal dance. To truly cherish someone means to be vulnerable to the deepest sorrows when they depart from this world. Life offers us the opportunity to embrace this vulnerability, be with all of what it means to be living right now, and, in this moment, for in it lies the strength of our humanity.
The first thread in the tapestry of deep love is connection, a knowing. This powerful bond transcends time and space, forming the fabric of our relationships. You know the type. That friend or loved one you haven’t seen for years and yet when together, it seems no time has passed. The sacred ties between the living and those crossing the threshold, are a reminder that our connections do not diminish with death but transform into a legacy of memories cherished and lessons learned. Some carry this with them, others feel a presence, and others devote rituals dedicated to those no longer living on earth.
The second thread is compassion. In the depths of grief, creating a peaceful presence of just being with it all, with no expectations, softens the sharp edges of sorrow. As doulas, we stand as guardians to this presence cultivating compassion and an environment where the depths of love can be felt and exist within the felt complexity of necessary grieving. Our doula collective is dedicated to the presence, compassion, understanding, and community so we learn and grow together in companioning humanity through the sacred journeys at the end of life.
The third thread is courage. It takes spirit to open ourselves to love, knowing well the grief that may follow. Embracing this courage, we weave through the rollercoaster of emotions that accompany us at the end of life, all the while deepening the love that is shared and the knowing one is loved.
While loving without abandon exposes us to all the shades of grief, it is the very essence of our existence. To be human is to love and to grieve. Every tear shed is a testament to love’s enduring power. Let us walk alongside each other, carrying a love that lights the path through grief, transforming the profound narrative of the heart’s capacity to endure.
