Raven & Rose was named in honor and remembrance of my two grandmothers, Jane and Rosa.
It was in the stars that I would work with Death & Dying, Grief, and Ancestral Reverence since I was born on Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I was born in New England to an Irish and French-Canadian Mother and a Mexican Father. I have spent most of my life trying to understand these Ancestral Roots more deeply.
From an early age I built shrines and Altars for dead loved ones and felt connected with the nature of the life-cycle. Throughout my life, I have also been discovering how deep the grief is in my bones. My Ancestors have become a huge part of my path to grief & loss and death & dying. For many generations, both my maternal and paternal Ancestors endured great losses and early deaths in their lives. This is an intergenerational pattern that was passed down to my life as well. My father died when I was a teenager and the loss of my grandfather in that same year profoundly changed me. Helping my grandmother, Jane, on her deathbed brought me to a more intimate place with death. And, experiencing the death of many friends and family members has given me compassion for the dying and bereaved.
While embarking on this journey as an End-of-Life Doula and Life-Cycle Celebrant, I have always kept my Ancestors close to my heart. I believe they are there to support me during every death I attend, every time I hold space for someone in grief, or when I am creating a ceremony to celebrate one’s life. My grandmothers are there to hold me, so that I can in turn hold my clients with strength and nurturance. I use their grandmother energy to create a warm and safe space for death, dying, and bereavement.
More about Raven
Raven is in honor of my maternal grandmother, Jane. She was a huge part of my childhood and growing into adulthood years. Jane was a true confidant, who I could talk to about anything. She always shared her wisdom with me in such gentle ways. Jane was a black-haired Irish beauty whose sleep cycle went with the sun, just like a bird. She had a twinkle in her eye that she inherited from her kin in Ireland. I will always remember her warmth, guidance, and thoughtful presence in my life. I had the honor to hold Jane through the threshold of death and to be her companion at the end. Ever since she died, I have asked for her continued guidance.
“To have a raven’s knowledge.” – Irish Proverb (The raven is considered to be one of the oldest and wisest of all animals.)
More about Rose
Rose is in honor of my paternal grandmother, Rosa. I never got to meet Rosa in person, because she died when my father was a teenager. But, I have always felt connected to her. I believe that I look more like her than any other relative I have. Rosa was a beautiful Spanish-Mexican woman who crossed borders for a new life. She raised 6 children by herself in the barrios of East LA after her husband died when my father was just 3. She endured heartache many times, knowing both the sweetness and thorniness of life. I wish I knew more about Rosa. But, when I think of her, I imagine her warm hugs and the sweet smell of pan dulces in the cocina. I have vowed to use this warmth and sweetness with everyone I hold space for.
“The beauty of life is in each precious moment. Stop and smell the roses.”