Ear of the
Heart
Reflections, guidance, and gentle stories for listening deeply — to yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you.
An End-of-Year Reflection: Living with Death in Mind
To live with death in mind is not to dwell on sorrow, but to live with deeper awareness, to recognize that every moment, every relationship, and every heartbeat exists within a greater cycle of becoming, ending, and beginning again.
Helping Children Cope with the Death of a Pet
For many children, the death of a beloved pet is their first experience with loss. It can be confusing and painful, even frightening. Yet, with gentle guidance, honesty, and inclusion, these moments can also become powerful lessons in love, empathy, and the cycles of life.
How to Be a Gentle Advocate: Speaking Up Without Overstepping
For many people, especially those learning or working in English, speaking up can feel risky. Will I sound rude? Will I use the wrong word? Will I offend someone? These are real fears, and they make gentle advocacy even more important.
Words That Comfort: How to Talk to Someone Who Is Grieving
When we think of grief, we often picture funerals, tears, and loss through death. But grief takes many forms. It can arise whenever life changes in ways we didn’t choose or expect. We grieve when we lose faith in something that once gave us meaning—a belief in a Divine presence, a spiritual community, a sense of purpose, or even confidence in our own country or values. We grieve when we no longer recognize who we are or what gives our days shape…
What Does It Mean to Die Well?
The phrase “dying well” can stir up many different feelings. Some may imagine a peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones. Others may think of dying without pain, with dignity, or in a way that honors their faith or values. But the truth is, there isn’t a single definition of what it means to die well.
How Reiki Can Help Your Aging Dog
As our dogs grow older, their needs change. They may slow down, develop stiffness, or struggle with health challenges like arthritis, heart disease, or anxiety. As guardians, we want to give them comfort and care in every stage of life. One gentle and supportive option is Reiki—a holistic practice that can bring relaxation and balance to both pets and their humans.
Writing Your Own Legacy Letter for End-of-Life Planning & Support
When we think about planning for the end of life, our minds often go straight to legal paperwork: wills, advance directives, powers of attorney, insurance policies. These documents matter and they protect loved ones from confusion and ensure your wishes are honored.
But they don’t tell the whole story of you.
You’re Not “Bad at English”: You’re a Whole Human Learning a New Language
Many English learners describe themselves with a sigh: “I’m bad at English.” Maybe you’ve said this, too. But let’s pause here, because you are not bad at English. You’re a whole human being learning something new, and that’s powerful.
Helping Your Dog Grieve the Loss of a Bonded Companion
When two dogs share their lives together, especially litter mates who have never known life apart, their bond runs deep. They eat together, nap together, play together, and often become each other’s constant source of comfort. When one of them dies, the surviving dog doesn’t just “move on.” The absence can feel enormous, and many dogs show signs of mourning that may surprise even longtime pet parents.
What Is Distance Reiki and How Does It Work for People and Animals?
Sometimes support finds us when we need it most, whether we’re sitting quietly at home, caring for an aging pet, or moving through illness or grief. Reiki is one of those gentle practices that transcends distance, offering comfort, balance, and connection wherever you are.
Is It OK to Question Everything?
Doubts and questions may feel terrifying. But they are also holy invitations. In spiritual direction, we don’t run from these moments. We sit with them. We honor them. We listen.
How to Start the Conversation About Your End-of-Life Wishes
Talking about death isn't easy. But talking about what matters to you before you reach the end of life is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself, and for those who care about you.
This post is here to help you start that conversation—gently, clearly, and with confidence. Whether you're planning ahead for yourself or supporting someone you love, there is wisdom in beginning this dialogue long before it’s urgently needed.
Why Losing a Pet Hurts So Much
If you’ve ever lost a beloved animal companion, you know the depth of that grief. It can be overwhelming, disorienting, and lasting. And yet, in a society that often downplays or misunderstands pet loss, it’s easy to feel like you must minimize your pain or move on before you’re ready.
But the truth is simple and profound… Losing a pet hurts so much because the love runs so deep. And that love is unlike anything else in our lives.
Phrases That Build Trust: How to Communicate with U.S. Clients
For caregivers, healthcare workers, and social workers who want to build trust and communicate with clarity
Whether you're a social worker in Mexico supporting U.S. retirees, a nurse in the U.S. learning English while caring for diverse patients, a college student preparing for a social work career, a caregiver helping English-speaking elders, or even a veterinary professional working with U.S. pet owners abroad—effective communication matters.
Listening with the Ear of the Heart: A Simple Practice
At the heart of all the work I do—whether I’m sitting with someone in spiritual direction, supporting a family through the death of a beloved animal, guiding a student toward greater confidence in their English, or creating a wedding ceremony that captures the beauty of a couple’s unique journey—one practice remains constant:
Listening with the ear of the heart.💗👂
What Is a Green Burial and Why Might It Matter to You?
When you imagine your legacy, you might think of a peaceful ceremony, a favorite song playing, or loved ones gathered in a cherished place. But one question many of us haven’t considered is this: How do we want our bodies to return to the earth? For a growing number of people, the answer lies in green burial—a gentle, environmentally conscious alternative to traditional funeral practices.
3 Simple Ways to Honor a Pet After Death
Because love doesn’t end when life does
Losing a beloved animal companion can turn our world upside down. The grief is real, deep, and sometimes surprising in how much it hurts, especially in a society that doesn’t always recognize how profound these bonds are.
One of the most healing things we can do in the days and weeks after a pet dies is to create small rituals of remembrance. These don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. They simply need to be meaningful to you.
Welcome to Life and Death Services
Holding space for beginnings, endings, and everything in between
Life is full of beginnings and endings—and the quiet, sacred spaces in between. This blog is a place to explore them all.
Whether you’ve landed here through curiosity, heartache, a desire for support, or a simple longing for something deeper, I want you to know you are welcome. Life and Death Services was born from the belief that every person (and every animal) deserves to be seen, heard, and honored, especially during moments of transition.