While the holiday season often emphasizes joy and togetherness, for some it can also highlight the empty chairs at our tables and the spaces in our hearts. To anyone anticipating navigating the upcoming holidays with loss, grief, or the end of life in mind, please know that you are not alone. 

An end-of-life doula offers compassionate, non-medical support, guiding individuals and families through the emotional and practical complexities of dying.

Vigil means keeping company, being present in anticipation of a significant event or transition—like being there for someone journeying from life into death.

We all leave a Legacy when we move on from this world whether we intend to or not. A wise person one told me, “I intend to leave a Legacy that reflects who I am and what I have done with my life. I want people to notice how I lived, that I was a good person who did good deeds, to be remembered.”

Margaret and Bernard Reilly’s journey was a tapestry of love, adventure, and resilience. From high school sweethearts to the proud parents of ten, their life together was a blend of joy and bittersweet moments, underscored by lifelong friendships and unwavering faith.

What is holding space, why is it important, and how can I provide support?

40 Years ago, my youngest brother fainted on the campus of the University where he was a brand-new college freshman. That day was one that changed our family’s perception of life and how fragile it is forever.