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Like many people, I've had a rough start this year. There's a lot of churn and turbulence in the world right now. A lot of people (Black and brown folks, trans and non-binary people, queer people, women) and things I care about (diversity, equity and inclusion programs and uh...science) are under attack.

Against this backdrop Eli, one of my best friends, died just over a week ago. I made a conscious decision to push some work projects out to have more time to hang out with her, which was the right decision. I remember checking in with her about our relationship, was she feeling loved by me in a way that honoured her agency and capacity? I blurted out that I had never witnessed a friend dying before. She laughed and said "well, I've never died before."

Another thing Eli was known for saying was "what is remembered lives". I will always remember such an unforgettable friend. Read more about Eli Joy Manning and the legacy she's left.

At the end of this newsletter I'm sharing some resources that I've found helpful around grief and would like to know yours.

So, this year I'm being very intentional and care-full about where I put my time and energy. The Long Table is one of the things that I'm excited to be building.

The Long Table

The Long Table is a BIPOC-majority, humanity-first business network that is designed to spark deep connections, strong collaborations, cross promotions, and organic referrals.

We’re setting the table for belonging, reciprocity, & shared success.

Coaching

Coaching leaders at all levels lights me up. I am both a warm hug and a kick in the ass. I love holding space for leaders to self-reflect and to choose how they want to show up in situations. I love witnessing moments where people surprise themselves at what they are actually capable of!

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Resources for death & dying and grief

​Queer Dying workbook​

Captain wrote a workbook that is "a collection of embodied resourcing activities, conversation/writing prompts, experiments and questions of deep wonder for you and your community to play with". I love how they've organized it into 4 sections:

• Waves - our feelings about Death & Dying
• Bones - some practicalities of Death & Dying
• Wings - communicating about Death
• Blooms - offerings, remembrance, ritual

​Glitter and Grief's Normalize Grief writing prompts​

A client shared this resource with me and I have found it very useful.

I don't have a regular journaling practice and I'm trying again. The question that I'm chewing on right now is "Have you had grief dreams? Do you speak with your loved one in them?"

​How to Say Goodbye​

Wendy MacNaughton was the artist in residence at the Zen Hospice in San Francisco. This book captures moments that she witnessed through her illustrations and short sentences like "The person dying is in charge". The simplicity of this book is beautiful.

​Andrea Gibson​

Poetry has been good medicine for me. Andrea Gibson is the poet Laureate for Colorado. They are a cancer survivor and last summer they found out that their cancer is back. Some of their poetry is about cancer.

I'm open to any other resources you recommend around grief.

Thank you 💖