Talk About It Tuesday: Topic – Can you contemplate your own death?
What Are You Afraid Of?
Tomorrow is designated as Talk About It Day here in the US. It’s a day designated to remind us all of the importance of mental health and to remove the stigma of seeking help for our mental wellness. Good mental health, our peace of mind, is a huge part of living a more fulfilling life […]
Time to Talk
In the UK an organization called Time to Change began recognition of this day as Time to Talk Day. Here in the US, it is observed on Saturday, February 6. It is observed to help bring awareness of the stigma mental illness has among the public and to help remove that stigma by encouraging us […]
Old photos and new grief
Lots of feelings and grief have been nudging, bumping and sneaking around me this month. My dad is moving and our relationship has changed dramatically in the past several months. Losing a powerful force like my mom left a empty place in our family that changed all our relationships and dynamics. You end up grieving […]
Profiles of Resiliency: Conversations About Death, Dying and Grief
Taylor’s suicide changed Genevera’s life in innumerable ways. “It changed everything about who I am, what my priorities are, who I want to be.”
Thanatology Thursday: Memento Mori and Vanitas
Edward Collier
Still Life with a Volume of Wither’s ‘Emblemes’ 1696
Tate represents death in vanitas art.
Wise Words Wednesday: Anderson
“Our society has tried to make death invisible, thinking that if we ignore it long enough it will go away. Often we as family and loved ones are so afraid of death that even mentioning the word to terminal patients is taboo. We think the dying are oblivious to what is happening to them. Sadly, […]
Thanatology Thursday
Thought I’d share some historical and cultural concepts of death and dying from time to time. Starting with this definition from Britannica: “Thanatology: the description or study of death and dying and the psychological mechanisms of dealing with them. Thanatology is concerned with the notion of death as popularly perceived and especially with the reactions […]
Wise Words Wednesday: Doughty
Early in my journey toward becoming a death doula, I came across the book Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty. Doughty is a founder of Order of the Good Death and a tireless advocate for death positivity and education. This book talks about her time as a brand new employee in a crematory […]
Media Monday: Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman died this weekend. He was 43 and died of colon cancer. His diagnosis was kept confidential between his closest family and friends, meaning he showed incredible determination and strength working to make moving art with pain and grace. This article in the USA Today is a timely reminder about the uptick of colon […]
