Leigh M.

Love note for Michelle:

I am so grateful that my family was supported by Michelle through the journey of caring for my partner, and children’s father, in living and dying well for the last few months of his life. I don’t think we’d have held it with the love and grace we wanted to without her.

Michelle met with my husband as he struggled with the idea of dying and with him worked towards surrender. She held a container that was safe and gentle, where curiosity was welcomed, yet she was also forthright and clear around what was happening as we all planned together how we wanted the death to be approached and held.

The death day really was an incredible and beautiful day of ceremony. We were with him, myself and our 2 children, two of his old and very close women friends, two very close men friends who randomly showed up at the right time, and Michelle. His death was so peaceful. He was so ready. We spoke to him, held him, he was surrounded by so much love.

When he died Michelle did a closing of the chakras, then led us as we called in the directions together. We spoke our blessings and read a poem. Then, guided by Michelle, as a very present and cohesive group, few were words needed, we washed him and then anointed him with oils. It felt so old and in our collective bones and blood to do that for him in such a loving and reverent way. We set him up on beautiful fabrics, dressed him, and put flowers all around him. Our daughter placed most of the flowers and she put a petal on his 3rd eye. It was beautiful.

We then had a 3 day vigil at the house with people coming and visiting. Community showing up in such incredible ways. Michelle was with us through that process too, helping with what was needed, through to when he left to be transformed into earth.

It was an incredible experience of death that offered so much presence and grieving and community support in the process. Plenty of healing laughter and irreverence too.

I was so glad that the kids experienced their father’s death in a way that allowed life and grief and anger and laughter to all happen together, and over weeks and days, before his actual death, during it, and after. The grace through this living and dying process was so beautifully held and guided by Michelle. I’m so happy she was with us through all of it. Truly blessed.