Real EoL Doula Stories: Melissa

​Strong spiritual leaders need support too in comforting their circles and guiding their tribe in the ways of accompanying the dying. Most of us are not confident in serving at the end of life unless we have had numerous special experiences or special training. 

We each have a very interesting place in our community. There are many strong, beautiful people that are the go-to person for their community who join me in my program. Most  share with me that our program transforms them, enabling them to teach and guide more confidently in their tribe. Together, we are an unbeatable match. 

My particular gift is empowering others to serve their communities better; that's why people study with me in our CareDoula School of Accompanying the Dying. We help them bring the best to their own circles of influence.  Read part of Melissa’s story, in her own words below. You can read her full story here as published by The Elephant Journal: article, "When Death Came to Dinner & Taught Me How to Live."

Melissa shares:

.When Death came to dinner last February, I had no idea how we would dance together in a tango of give and take.I have given Death my attention, my devotion, and my respect. I have learned not to fear his arrival, but to prepare for it and welcome his embrace when my time comes as well.

He has taken my friend Lynn, who inspired me to seek grace at the end of life. She still walks with me through my daily discovery. Most recently, as her wife and I were moving books from a shelf, I discovered two of her books that were about death and dying. We did not discuss this topic on my favorite day by her side—one year ago—but it is clear that she helped guide me to where I am now.

Someday, Death will take my friend Brian too.

As he has declared his choice to live in quality, I asked Brian to let me know how I may serve this endeavor. His reply? “You have done more than you know already.” I shared with him that he is one of my most important soulmates and how grateful I am that we found each other. He told me that he feels the same, and that he knows everything will turn out fine.

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