Hello!  It's time for me to start my own blog about death and dying.  I've been dealing with death as a professional for my entire career, which is well over 30 years now!  Ever since I was in high school and first read Raymond Moody's book, Life After Life, I've been hooked.  I worked as a hospice volunteer as soon as I was able.  Then, I became a hospital chaplain which requires a lot of training.  There are still clergy out there who think they can simply walk in and serve.  Nope.  Not a pastor.  A chaplain.  No proselytizing.  No specific belief.  You are not there to convert others.  Period.  You are there to help them find meaning in their experience!  Take some CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) and find out!

Anyways, I loved being a chaplain.  In 2005, I became the first chaplain for the Palliative Care Team at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.  My total focus was on those facing death.  Such a privilege!  I was always humbled how, once a patient discovered that I was truly there for them, they shared their most private thoughts about dying, Godde, why we're here on this earth, etc.  I learned so much from them and always felt grateful for the encounter.  

Now, as a death doula, that passion continues.  I know there are folks out there who don't want to talk about their death but who really need to do just that.  It's so much easier than they might think.  Once they start, they see that it's a journey worth taking.  How I wish hospices would use us but our local one said, "nope."  They are our best referral source!  I'm not sure why but I think it's because they think we'll step on their turf.  There would be overlap but the big thing is us death doulas have TIME whereas a hospice employee, no matter how well-meaning, is on the clock.  They have other patients and families to serve so they have to give you a set amount of time.  No longer do they stay during death vigils like we used to.  Families don't know to expect this.  They're just grateful someone showed up at all!

So, I'm here to answer any of your questions.  And I plan to blog on different topics so let's go!

Thanks for your interest.

Mary Kay