Mother’s Day Musings on Loss—May 2020 Newsletter
| May 2020 NewsletterView this email in your browser |
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| End-of-Life Doula Training & Certification~ Supporting life’s final transition ~ |
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A challenging time …  I have my own version of COVID-19 challenges and luckily they have not, so far, involved getting sick or losing a loved one. I hope the same is true for you. No doubt, everyone is suffering right now, some more than others. Hang in there everyone. This too shall pass. The uncertainty around making ANY plans whatsoever is anxiety provoking and makes conducting a training business very difficult. The loss of freedom, isolation, feeling like you are waiting to get hit by a Mack truck … you all know the drill by now. How precious our freedom, friends and family are! I find that walks in nature and fresh air (sun or no sun) are my single most essential mental health activity through these months. What’s yours?Updates on our new hybrid End-of-Life Doula training There is no doubt that our training program has been undergoing a bit of a shakeup this spring. Between the departure of a former business partner and COVID-related cancellations and challenges, my plate has been full. There is tremendous grace in all of this, as it is moving me more quickly in the direction I intended to go pre-COVID-19. Here is what you can expect in the coming months …We are accepting enrollments in our new Hybrid End-of-Life Doula Training program. A hybrid program combines self-paced online learning with an in-person skills-based workshop–the best of both worlds!The first two of ten online training modules have been completed. The online classroom is open to you once you enroll in the self-paced training program.My intention is to have all 10 modules completed by August 1st. This is, admittedly, very ambitious, but I am creatively engaged and enjoying the amazing interactive flexibility of this style of learning. However, I will not sacrifice excellence and thoroughness to the tyranny of timely release Stay tuned …The in-person workshop scheduled for August 22 & 23 will be offered as a virtual live workshop on Zoom. Anyone who prefers to wait for an in-person training is welcome to join the October 24 & 25 workshop (fingers crossed!).For those who cannot travel (or prefer not to) for whatever reason, we will be offering all-online training, starting with these 10 modules. Join us anytime!In the News, Events and Favorite Blogs What Does Death Look Like?, another great blog by Barbara Karnes. What You Should Know Before You Need a Ventilator. New York Times opinion article. Lifespan Doulas public Facebook Group is a great, active community of folks sharing information and stories. Join us! (You must submit a request to join, but I can guarantee you will be approved.)Happy Belated Mother’s Day All the various holidays can be such a bittersweet time of year. This one, in particular, can be especially painful for those recovering from the loss of their mother. It doesn’t matter whether your relationship was perfect or whether you received unconditional love from your mother. In many ways, a complicated relationship can make the loss more difficult … so much unresolved “stuff.” When we have a loss, that person lives in our hearts and memories now. Remember, you can still say “thank you,” “I love you,” “I forgive you.” And we can do this for all relationships that end, whether from death or for other reasons. We can to come to forgiveness and acceptance in our hearts. Many years ago, it was a revelation to me to discover that someone did not have to apologize and ask for my forgiveness in order for me to choose to forgive them and move on, though sometimes our anger or hurt may rise up again. And that’s okay too; we can simply make the same choice to forgive again. Eventually, it takes. I hope those of you who are mothers (or have one!) had a lovely Mother’s Day. The flower image is from my dear friend Harriette Hartigan, photographer, artist, poet, life coach. Click here or on the image to visit her website.TONIGHT: Webinar open to all! This evening, Thursday, May 21 from 7-8pm (EST), join us for a presentation by Gentle Passage Doula Collective from the Seattle area. A few members of the collective will share their thoughts, motivation and experience in forming the collective with host Patty Brennan. Learn how creative doulas are becoming with their business models as they navigate the post-doula-training terrain. There will be plenty of time for Q&A at the end. Typically, these bi-monthly webinars are open to members only, but I am providing access to everyone as a special gift this month. Join us on Zoom or call 720-707-2699 (Meeting ID: 889 4236 6052). Password: 128235.  Do you have questions about becoming an End-of-Life Doula?We have answers! Join us live on June 10 (Wednesday, 7-8pm EST) for a FREE interactive webinar. Our Top 5 Questions about Becoming an End-of-Life Doula will address questions regarding:the role of the EOLD and types of services providedhow doulas interact with the hospice teamwhether you can support yourself doing EOLD workall training-related questionshow to get startedand whatever questions YOU may havePre-registration is required. |
Posted in End-of-Life, Newsletters
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