#inelda

[novemberivy]

If you know me at all, you know that today, May 23rd, is my favorite day. Why? Because this is just a very precious, magical, day for me. My own personal holiday. This years May 23rd is one for the books. This morning I became a *certified End of Life/Death Doula*. I’ve been wanting to be this for awhile. I’ve known since I was 10 years-old that I had a calling. At 25 I knew that I was going to be a “trail blazer”, a “pioneer” of sorts. Now, here I am… a month before my 30th Birthday… a certified Death Doula. I’m very excited to share with you my journey into my new career & look forward to maybe even working with you! If you need someone to process your grief or a death in your life (may it be a physical, emotional, or spiritual death) please feel free to reach out to me! I want to start my services off by doing it donate based for the next 4-6 months! I want to say thank you so much for all the people who have supported me on this dream of mine & to the amazing team @inelda_doulas. Here’s to a new adventure!! ✨ #inelda #honestwords #deathdoula • Corvallis, OR • Spring 2020 (at Corvallis, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAid7ftp_rh/?igshid=18q561mpdqhcn

[novemberivy]

Today I woke up excited about the future. I haven’t had this feeling in years. Yesterday I got to talk to my friend @h_cato about my studies in being a #deathdoula & while we were talking about our joys & sorrows, I realized how everything in my life has lead me to this very moment. She told me, “Ruby, you’re bridging a gap.” I don’t think Holly knows how much that means to me, but it made me cry happy tears! That’s a first in awhile lol. *My friends, we’re in some batshit crazy times that are kinda of depressing af...but dreams are still coming true?! Yes, my new career path might not be the most exciting for some people, but it brings ME joy to know that someone in their darkest hour is not alone & that they are being loved. I am determined in this next decade of my life (cuz I’m turning 30 next month, which is actually wild) to get what I’ve always dreamed of having & to make them into realities. We deserve the things we dream of. It’s just freakin time! The first one I’m getting is my dream job: being an End of Life Doula. • #honestwords #endoflifedoula #inelda • Corvallis, OR • Spring 2020 (at Corvallis, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_7kyhdgxHS/?igshid=z83wxdv5s6q8

[novemberivy]

For the last week and a half I’ve been doing my End of Life Doula class. Some of our homework consists of us recanting that one specific death in our life that we always fall back on; the one we can’t move past. While I answer the homework prompts I’m listening to the Interstellar soundtrack. I love that movie. If you haven’t seen, you should. The movie is based around a lot of physics. It made the idea of there being something else beyond this life, this earth, & this dimension, comprehensive. I can’t make you believe in heaven or hell, or some great beyond, but I can tell you this: I know science is real. I know there’s other dimensions we have yet to experience. I know when I feel my moms presence, it is very distinct. And ultimately, I know that that is what is getting me through my grief. Sometimes it isn’t religion that brings some people peace. Sometimes it’s science, a song, or even a really long movie. • #inelda #deathdoula • Corvallis, OR • Spring 2020 (at Corvallis, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_SYMZUJBAj/?igshid=w0ynujm0evs0

[novemberivy]

I’m on a new journey. 
I’m in the process of becoming a certified Death Doula. 
*This is the part where you say, “Ruby. What in the world is that?” 
If you know me at all you know I am very well acquainted with the loss of a loved one, grief, and spirituality. If you’ve followed me on here long enough, you’ve most likely have seen my growing process. 
Doula means “Woman serving another woman” or “person serving another person”. We have birth doula’s who help women bring children into this world, but what about when it’s time to leave this existence? As a Death Doula or End of Life Doula (which ever one) it’s my job to help the person who is passing away and their loved ones, process what is happening. I make sure that the person who is passing away has their wishes respected and written down, and since it’s me, voice recorded. I’m there for the loved ones who can’t fathom that this is actually happening. I’m there to help the atmosphere in the room be filled with a little more light than when I got there. 
Are you seeing what I’m seeing? That I’ve already been doing this my whole life? Yeah, I know. Wild. Callings are real. They happen. I’ve known for awhile…years honestly…that THIS is what I was supposed to do. I saw this time of quarantine as honestly the greatest opportunity to fully pursue this dream of helping others in understanding death, dying, and grief. 
Some of you might not understand. You might think that this isn’t the most positive job, that it’s dark and twisted, but I see it all as life. Dying is a part of life. Someone needs to not be afraid to talk about it and I have gladly been that someone for a very long time. • #honestwords #inelda #deathdoula • Corvallis, OR • Spring 2020 (at Corvallis, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_I1jRNJiJR/?igshid=19a2xq1iiscq7

[reverbraven]

I recently applied for, but did not receive, a scholarship to cover the cost of end of life doula training through INELDA, so for plan B I am raising funds to help me cover the cost to register for the training. I know times are hard, so if you cannot donate, please share the link. Thank you so much for your help!

https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8fb1TuQ1o9

[reverbraven]

So two nights ago I had a dream that I was sitting vigil with a friend on death row (for a crime they didn’t commit or something that was obviously unjust, but I can’t remember what the actual crime was....it was probably being queer).  I helped them talk through whatever they wanted to talk through, helped them figure out what they wanted to be done with their body and their belongings, helped them say goodbye to the people who loved them.  

I messaged this friend about the dream and we had a very interesting conversation about how the dream related to how they were actually personally going through a transitional time and a Death-of-Self as they rediscovered their place in this world. 

But, the dream also highlighted for me how much I want to be doing death doula work professionally, and how part of my ministry as a pagan leader ought to be for prisoners. I just have to find a way to afford the training that I need and get healthy enough to do the training and the work after. 

[oh-september-girl]

Training complete ✔️ #inelda #deathdoula #endoflifedoula #eol #eoldoula #internationalendoflifedoulaassociation #death https://www.instagram.com/p/BxGsEgeg38G/?igshid=qf7dbexi7vw8

[oh-september-girl]

So my #INELDA training is over and before I take the long trip home, I decided to get some food. This place - Gyroland- has Merle cutlery and paper straws! I’m so freakin happy about that!! . . #lowwaste #zerowaste #gyroland #rockville #maryland #mediterraneanfood #sofreakindelicious #strawssuck #paperstraw #ditchtheplastic #stewardoftheearth @gyrolandrockville https://www.instagram.com/p/BxGSHZYgnXr/?igshid=1257dgfrsyivx