When inviting someone into your family scenario during times of
celebration or during times of stress it is best to know a bit about
them first! This way you will be able to determine whether their
personality is a good fit with your family dynamic, enabling you to make
the best decision regarding hiring this person for the services they
offer.
I am the mother of four wonderful sons, two daughters, two cats and a beloved Labrador. I
love country living and am looking forward to
more rural living in the very near future, as my husband and I are in the process of building our home! Walks in the country, light gardening, camping and fishing are all activities I enjoy very much.
I love fibre
arts, working with raw fleece through the process of picking and
cleaning, spinning, dying, knitting and weaving. I have two weaving
looms, four knitting machines, a huge assortment of hand knitting
needles, five spinning wheels and a few sewing machines. I love to follow
patterns while knitting, but also receive great enjoyment creating
patterns and designs of my own. My present home does not support the
space required for my large floor loom but I am starting to work once
again with my table top four shaft loom, and am quite enjoying that
process.
I love to work with natural products,
making my own soap and body care products, growing herbs, learning about
crystals and alternative therapies. I hold my First and Second Degrees as a Reiki
practitioner. I practice qui gong and tai chi, as well as yoga, in my home (on an almost daily basis!) and also practice walking the labyrinth, meditation and mindfulness and find that to be a great benefit. As a compassionate caregiver I do what I can to enable those
experiencing loss of independence a sense of control as they assist with
their own caregiving to whatever degree possible, whether that be
providing input into the type of care they receive, to discussing
possible outcomes in the future, outlining their wishes regarding final
care plans, and bringing their hopes and fears into the open where we
can discuss them in order to find viable solutions. I encourage
partnership-centered care, in that the individual is supported by a team
of family, friends, neighbours and professional caregivers, all with
the client's best interests at heart and keeping them involved in the
caregiving plan.
I love my work as a Thanadoula and a
Life Cycle Celebrant. I love sharing with others as they experience
joys in their lives and creating ceremonies that are personalized and
memorable for those involved. I am grateful to be called upon to assist
with families as their loved ones approach end of life and ready to
transition through death. The sacredness of that time is very special
and I feel honoured to share in those moments. Creating a memorial
celebration, or a celebration of life, that has meaning for the family brings me a sense of gratitude that I was selected to share in this
sacred time, and that I was able to offer words of comfort, love and
sharing to those who cared for the one deceased. Bringing together family, friends and community to share in times of happiness and mourning is an important event, and I take my work very seriously.
Opening my office last summer had been an exciting step forward. As a member of The Soul Space community in Smiths Falls, I held a private office where clients can meet with me to discuss the many services I provide, including advanced care plans, legacy work, caregiving arrangements, vigil arrangements, memorials or celebrations of life, and generally discuss any questions they may have with regard to end of life care. The Soul Space also provided a peaceful venue where workshops and seminars can be held - with parking space! I will begin holding Death Cafes on the third Thursday of every month commencing in October 2019. Due to the changes inflicted upon us regarding social isolation and lockdown, I was forced to close my office in April 2020 but continue to work from my home. I look forward to opening a new office based in Elgin, Ontario (mid way between Kingston and Smiths Falls) in 2021, still serving the Eastern Ontario area.
My life
is full. It brings me great joy to offer my experience, my comfort, my
understanding and compassion to those who may be in need of my
abilities, and I am grateful to be of service. As a certified
Thanadoula, Life Cycle Celebrant and Spiritual Counselor I hope you will
consider Brigid's Balm Thanadoula Services to assist you in whatever
aspect you or your family may require. I look forward to meeting you!
