So come, my friends, be not afraid.

We are so lightly here.

It is in love that we are made.

In love we disappear.

—Leonard Cohen

Eventually, each of us will come to the end of our lives. 

As a hospice nurse for over 15 years, I have sat with many people through their last breath, and I have seen many people do deep healing work at the end of their life. Our last precious days, weeks, and years can be filled with love, connection, and profound peace as we prepare to cross the threshold of death

Many people leave this earth peacefully and with ease; I see this often in older folks who have lost many of their peers already, whose bodies have carried them into old age, possibly with children they have seen grown up. They are ready to greet whatever lies on the other side, and it’s a gift to bear witness to this experience.

Not all deaths are so easy. Many of us have never witnessed a death up close and don’t know the first thing about what it will look like, how to talk to our loved ones about it, or how to prepare physically, emotionally, and spiritually for this transition. The full spectrum of feelings can be overwhelming: anger, grief, numbness, sorrow, and even relief. These emotions can be challenging to navigate while dying or caregiving. 

But there is another way; we can turn towards death consciously.

Whether you are the one coming to the end of life or supporting someone through the experience, having a guide who has traversed these roads professionally and personally can be profoundly supportive. This time can be rich in connection, laughter, and love, along with the tears and grief of learning to let go. 

Plant medicines have been shown to decrease existential fear and anxiety, which can positively affect symptom management for those who are dying. This allows everyone to be more present with the time there is left.

 I believe that even if we don’t get to choose when we die, we can have some say in how we die. Let us lovingly explore the hopes and fears, desires and needs you and your loved ones have as we navigate this sacred time together.