Published Articles
2019 - Dec - Gazette - It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life
One of my all-time favorite movies is It’s a Wonderful Life! When I was a child, it was shown multiple times each holiday season and every time Zuzu said, “Look, Dadd...
Thursday, November 28, 2019
2019 - Nov - CDT - Helping Hands - Family Traditions
Family Traditions
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because for me it is “Christmas without the hype.” I love the focus on gratitude. I love family gathering around the dinner table. And I love ...
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
2019 - Oct - Gazette - Time for Family, Time for Talk
Time for Family Time for Talk
When I was growing up, I looked forward to Halloween. Of course the excitement of costumes and candy was part of it. But another big piece was my mom’s embrace ...
Thursday, October 31, 2019
2019 - Oct - CDT - Active Life - Healing with Love
Healing with Love
I recently had a conversation with a friend about the draw of the woods. I explained that I feel them call to me, and when I enter I take a few deep breaths, taking in the fresh ...
Sunday, October 6, 2019
2019 - Sept - Gazette - Burial or Cremation
Burial or Cremation
Before I worked with Koch Funeral Home, my husband and I occasionally had conversations about how we wanted our bodies cared for after death. He chose traditional burial ...
Thursday, September 26, 2019
2019 - Aug - Gazette - Thankful, Thoughtful, Tuesdays
Thankful, Thoughtful Tuesdays
With my work, I get into all kinds of conversations about dying, death and grief. One was with a woman who described a beautiful living funeral she was a part of for ...
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
2019 - Aug - CDT - Learning to Live - Understanding the Relationship between Change and Grief
Understanding the Relationship between Change and Grief
In my work with Koch Funeral Home, we choose monthly themes, and then I write blog posts corresponding with that theme. Last year when we ch...
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Previous Posts
2019 - July - Gazette - Three Important Lessons
Three Important Lessons
As I’ve worked around dying, death and grief, I’ve learned three important lessons: you’re not alone, community matters and storytelling heals. These messages consistently ...
2019 - June - Gazette - Transition
Transitions
Transitions have been on my mind a lot lately. Transitions mean changes and all changes, even positive ones, involve loss. Much of my work is about companioning people through changes ...
2019 - June - CDT - Helping Hands - Monday's Moments Complimentary Luncheons
Monday's Moment's Complimentary Luncheons
Assurance that I always have someone to talk to. Comforted. A great deal of support. A safe place to share. Peaceful. Wrapped in a security blanket. These...
2019 - May - Gazette - Authenticity in Life and Death
Authenticity in Life and Death
When I was training with The International End of Life Doula Association we did a fair amount of role playing. Sometimes I was the end-of-life doula and sometimes th...
2019 - May - The Daily News - Huntingdon
Death Cafés
Each spring I am surprised by the vivid colors that appear in the plants and trees. You would think that having experienced many Pennsylvania springs in my lifetime, I would be used to...
2019 - April - Gazette - Stories of Loss
Stories of Loss
I sat in a circle of nearly twenty women. Our facilitator looked at one of the women and asked, “What are you most present to?” That woman began to share a story about herself whic...
2019 - March - Gazette - Death Café
Death Café
In November 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote these words, “…but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” These two certainties will be spotlighted on April 15, 2019, wit...
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