Faith and Healing

Twenty years ago my life changed forever. I received a late night phone call saying my sister had been killed in a car accident. I couldn't breath. My mind froze. I was having the worst nightmare of my life; only this wasn't a dream. This was real.  My mind couldn't process what had happened. My body was in shock.  And so began my journey through grief that I didn't think would ever end.  THere was very little help for those grieving the death of a loved on. Unfortunately, there still isn't much available. Eventually I found help through a Hospice Grief Program and then heard about Bereavement Ministry Training through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  It was something, so I joined both and began to find direction and help. I wasn't interested in being involved in Bereavement Ministry even though I felt God strongly calling me to explore it.  If you've ever received a call from God, you know you aren't going to win. And here I am 18 years later having walked with hundreds of people through their grief journey.

In America we don't talk about death. Instead, we fear it. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say, "If I die," not "When I die," as if we have a choice.  We use euphemisms to downplay death. We say "passed away, loss/lost, is no longer with us," etc. instead of dead, died, dying, deceased, etc. No one wants to talk about death as if to do so will cause them to die.  But talk about it we must. Fear of death is why few people pre-plan their mortuary and cemetery arrangements.

I decided long ago that I didn't want my sister's death to be in vain and bereavement ministry has become my passion.  I don't want others to feel the way I did. I want to give them hope that they, too, will survive and come out the other side able to live life again.  I facilitate support groups, meet with individuals and groups, facilitate retreats and speak about Grief and Bereavement.  If I can help, please contact me. God Bless.