Ear of the
Heart
Reflections, guidance, and gentle stories for listening deeply — to yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you.
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.