WILD FLOWER
A tribute to my loved one's transformation from this life to the next
One of my greatest honors in life has been witnessing the strength and vulnerability of a woman during her birthing process. Watching her family, all gathered by her side, not really knowing what to do. Husband's fearful of the pain their loved one is feeling. Quiet moments of sleep interrupted with rapid breathing, deep breaths, groans and sometimes tears. As a doula I've whispered into hundreds of ears "Let go", "Don't be scared" and "You are loved and safe". As a doula I've held hands, I've massaged backs, I've played music, I've shared joy, laughter and even sorrow. And as a doula I've watched new life leave the safety and warmth of the womb to enter this world. Calm, silent and wide eyed as we eagerly anticipated the first breath, celebrating this gift from the universe. A few days ago I experienced an honor equally matched if not even greater. Witnessing life exiting this world. Just as in birth....there is a strength and vulnerability during the dying process. I watched my family, all gathered by her side, not really knowing what to do or say. Her husband making sure her pain was minimal. Quiet moments of sleep interrupted with rapid breathing, deep breaths and soft tones. Softly into her ear I whispered, "Let go", "Don't be scared" and "You are loved and safe". I held her hands, I massaged her legs, I played music, we laughed and we cried. And then....we watched her exit this world, calm, silent and wide eyed as she took her last breath. With tears streaming down our faces, we mourned such great loss and also celebrated this beautiful gift from the universe as she returned to the safety and warmth of the womb. I will miss her greatly but I'm a better person for knowing her and will forever feel blessed to call her family. Her vibrant spirit will live boldly in my memory as I carry her in my heart always. I look forward to feeling her warm hugs in the cool breeze, seeing her infectious smile in the wild flowers and sharing Mark and my journey with her in my dreams. I know she'll be watching over all of us until we meet again. May she Rest In Peace, free from pain and full of love and light. 10-13-17 1:32pm