It’s been two days since my dad’s death and I’m thinking about the strange mental gymnastics of loss. In truth, I began to gradually grieve my dad long ago—the dad he was, the dad he wasn’t, and the dad he’d never be—especially after dementia set in. Still, this loss is deep, and impermanence is hard… Continue reading The Grapplehood of Grief
When facing a challenge or setting a goal, it's helpful to create a vision. Identifying where you are now and where you'd like to go can provide clarity to your journey. This process of drafting a "Contemplative Vision Map" includes not only the pragmatic aspects of decision-making but also the thoughtful, mindful considerations that foster… Continue reading Contemplative Vision Map
There are countless reasons to strengthen community grief care. Here are five to embrace and enact today. #1. Grief is both Universal and Deeply Personal The community grief support I provide is rooted in this truth. There’s value in learning about loss and also in exploring our personal reactions to it.A grief care client expressed… Continue reading Beliefs Worth Backing
In addition to my community doula work, I've also been part of the research team at the Vermont Conversation Lab (VCL). Here's a closer look... The Backstory I first met Dr. Bob Gramling, head of the VCL, in 2016 when developing the end-of-life doula training programs at UVM. I quickly recognized him as a kindred… Continue reading Doula Researcher
Do you ever find yourself surprised by surprise? Recently, while reading Belonging by Toko-pa Turner, I had an out-loud “huh” moment that caused me to shut the book for a long pause. In a passage about journeying through exile, Turner writes, “The initiated adult has learned to withstand uncertainty, has paid a debt to the… Continue reading The Eventual Ancestor
Francesca Lynn Arnoldy 