Michele Borna- End Of Life Care Doula

03/08/2025

The Nine Contemplations on Death. A Buddhist Meditation. I have been studying and contemplating this meditation, the further I get into working with my clients, the more it means to me- not only for them but for myself. It brings me peace. As the 1st Contemplation says, Death is Inevitable, and finding peace in that take away a lot of anxiety from living.

Memento Mori et Memento Vivere
💜Mabs

1 Death is inevitable. No one is exempt.

Holding this thought in mind, I abide in the breath.

2 Our life span is ever-decreasing. Each breath brings us closer to death.

Holding this thought in mind, I delve deeply into its truth.

3 Death will indeed come, whether or not we are prepared.

Holding this thought in mind, I enter fully into the body of life.

4 Human life expectancy is uncertain. Death can come at any time.

Holding this thought in mind, I am attentive to each moment.

5 There are many causes of death – even habits, desires and accidents are precipitants.

Holding this thought in mind, I consider the endless possibilities.

6 The human body is fragile and vulnerable. Our life hangs by a breath.

Holding this thought in mind, I attend to my inhale and exhale.

7 At the time of death, material resources are of no use to us.

Holding this thought in mind, I invest wholeheartedly in practice.

8 Our loved ones cannot keep us from death. There is no delaying its advent.

Holding this thought in mind, I exercise non-grasping.

9 Our body cannot help us at the time of death. It too will be lost at that moment.

Holding this thought in mind, I learn to let go.

12/31/2023

With the New Year upon us, here is a reminder that it's okay to be where you are and how you are in this moment.
No resolutions are necessary here.

I wish you a peaceful and joy-filled 2024.
💜Mabs

12/30/2023

I cannot tell you how much this resonates with me. Leave it to Terry to write something so absolutely profound and beautiful.

How are you remembering your lost loved ones? Forever alive in our hearts and minds.

Memento Mori et Memento Vivere
💜Mabs



Life After Death
"In the Ramtop Village they believe that
no-one is finally dead until the ripples they
cause in the world die away, until the clock
he wound up winds down - until the wine
she made has finished its ferment, until the
crop they planted is harvested. The span
of someone's life, they say, is only the
core of their actual existence.
-Terry Pratchett

12/30/2023

I heartily agree, and I feel enormously blessed to have had people be there for me in my darkest hours, which I now, (especially as an EOL Doula), can do for others in return.

Memento Mori et Memento Vivere.
💜Mabs

"One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone." -Shannon L Alder.

12/25/2023

Wrapping you in love this day, and everyday.
Christmas Blessings
💜✨️🕯💜
Mabs

11/28/2023

Take the photo. Those who you love won't care if the moment is crafted and perfect, they'll care that they have the memories and a picture to hold on to. Death certainly is a thief, and we all grasp to memories of our loved ones, photographs help in this as we grieve.

What memories do you hold fast to so you can keep your passed loved ones alive in your heart? For me, it's photo albums and blankets made from the shirts they used to wear.

Let's talk about it together.

💜Mabs

PS: yes I know, it is after Thanksgiving, but the sentiment behind it stands all year round: for all special occasions, holidays, birthdays, or those moments that just happen and you want to remember.
💜M

11/27/2023

This made me laugh WAY harder than I expected. And when one works in death care, laughter is healing.

Have you considered your mortality recently? Have you thought about how you want to go or how you want your life and body to be considered after you pass? Do you have advanced directives? Power of attorney for medical and financial?
How do you want to be remembered?

Thinking about death brings it no closer to happening than thinking about s*x makes one pregnant. In fact thinking about these things and planning ahead can actually reduce stress and worries about mortality and all that comes after; for you, and for your loved ones left behind.

If you have any questions regarding these matters, let's talk about it. You don't have to face all of this alone.

Memento Mori et Memento Vivere
💜Mabs


📸 Watch this video on Facebook
https://fb.watch/oAUaoSpsQO/?mibextid=NnVzG8

11/25/2023

This is lovely, a woman, with the help of her death doula, set up a living wake for herself. Cancer sucks, terminal illnesses suck, but this is a beautiful way to help face the end-of-life. I'm happy for her that she got party with friends and loved ones while she still could.
To me, this is why end-of-life care is vital, we can't stop death, but we can soften the ending.

Do you have any questions about end-of-life care? Let's talk about it together. You don't have to face it alone.
💜Mabs

Facing terminal cancer, Annie Werner realised she didn’t want people saying ‘super nice’ things about her after she had died. She wanted to be there – so she held a living wake

11/23/2023

Thanksgiving and blessings to all of you this holiday, whether you celebrate or not.
💜Mabs

What's Your Grief is always a wonderful resource, and I recommend their page to everyone grieving in any way.

11/20/2023

Grief at Thanksgiving.
It's okay to not want to celebrate or feel thankful when you're in the depths of grief. I think this article from What's Your Grief will help you navigate through and help you find some grace for yourself.

Here for you. Holiday love to all of you.
Memento Mori et Memento Vivere
💜Mabs

It can be difficult to cope with grief at Thanksgiving. It's easy to feel alienated on a holiday that focuses on thankfulness and gratitude.

11/14/2023

Hello All, it's been a while since I posted. But as we are coming into the holiday season, there is no better time than now, when heavy grief starts raising its head once again, to reconnect myself to you and to my own grieving practices.

You are not alone.
Memento Mori et Memento Vivere.
💜Mabs

💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙

“Instead of holiday parties
I wish we could normalize grief parties
We could get together with our safest people
wear our favorite pajamas
take turns sharing what’s breaking our heart
pass around the Kleenex while we cry
eat our favorite foods
drink/ smoke
and end the night laughing and karaoke singing.”
-Tasha Hunter, MSW, LCSW

💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙❄️💙

07/21/2023

Death Doula Talks, Episode 3.
"My loved one has a received a terminal diagnosis, now what?"
We discuss the some of the basics of what you can do for yourself. Do you have questions? Ask them. You don't have to navigate a terminal diagnosis alone.
💜Mabs.

Check out LadyMabs35's video.