In August of 2008, I was one of six women gathered on Cape Cod, laptops in tow, to work on a manuscript begun by our friend Liz Aleshire. At the time, Liz was in the cardiac ICU unit of Hartford Hospital.
Liz was a multipublished author. This latest book was to be a tribute to her son who had died 12 years earlier of bone cancer. He was 16 at the time. The book's title? 101 Ways You Can Help: How to Offer Comfort and Support to Those Who Are Grieving.
Earlier that year, Liz had signed a contract and accepted an advance from a publisher, Sourcebooks. After receiving a one-month extension to the original June 30 deadline, Liz's condition deteriorated even further. That's when six of her friends stepped in. What happened next includes an unusual arrangement with Sourcebooks.
That day in August, I led the six of us in two rituals. One to help our dying friend let go of the pain she had known in this life, and one for each of us to honor her many gifts.
Letting go and holding on -- that's what this episode is all about.
The Charming of the Plow - A Norse Winter Festival to Honor the Dwarves and Prep Your Tools
Hope and the Parliament of the World's Religions
A Thanksgiving Ritual for Your Home
Self-Care Rituals When Your Spouse Has Dementia
Everything Happens for a Reason - A Folktale
The Wedding Ceremony Arch
Yemaya and Victims of the Middle Passage
Sedna, a Ritual for the Inuit Goddess of the Arctic Ocean
The Language of Shells - Beach Wedding Rituals
Rituals to Renew Your Wedding Vows
The 7 Hills of Rome Wedding Ritual
Is Your Child Leaving Home?
Spiritual Medicine of the Hawk and Falcon
Owl Medicine for the Spirit
Eagle Medicine for the Spirit
Rituals for Podcasters, Speakers & Storytellers
Rituals for Writers
Home Funerals
Divorce: Funerals for the Death of a Marriage
Funerals for Pets
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