FRIENDS, I sit in winter reflection after my first year on this journey as a death doula. I was reminded of my “why” in choosing this field after gathering family for our wedding this past month. My 94 year old grandmother out partied my pregnant ass one night. I am beyond blessed that she and both my parents and even all of their siblings are dancing earthside right now. I’m in no rush to put my training to practice on my own family. I don’t get to choose when I will be called to service in that way, but I stay educated and active in community. I began the first quarter of this year building a coworking space in a death studio. I got to meet with some passionate individuals in death tech, grief circles, and adjacent wellness academics that led to creative collaborations. In the second quarter, I ambitiously set off to explore green death in a series of immersive fieldtrips that kicked off at Joshua Tree to learn about open desert burials. And while I rushed to dig into these fieldtrips, I was humbled and slowed down to integrate the depth of the learnings with community. One fieldtrip this quarter was enough. It was enough and it was healing and it was beautiful. Third quarter hit different this year and I peacefully accepted the death of the maiden to welcome the mother. I put a sacred pause on doula work to shift into the full spectrum of birth. This final quarter has already held many reasons for ceremony and celebration of life. And I just attended the EndWell conference again, digitally this time, still as inspiring. I look back on this year and am grateful to have completed my 200 field work hours. I look forward to this unfolding journey as a green doula, in death and in birth. Thank you for staying reverent for all that is natural. And so 2024 was.