Death: A Loss or a Rebirth

Well I wasn’t wanting to start the blog off deep in the shadows… I would have liked to merge into it. But life doesn’t hold back for anyone, nor does death.

I’d like to start with saying it is really hard living in a society and culture where death is so taboo. We spend so much of our lives getting comfortable here… hoping, wishing, praying, sometimes even begging we won’t die, pass on, end. Some have such deep fears of this occurrence that it can even hold us back from living. But one thing is for sure, one thing is certain… death is inevitable.

No matter how we choose to look at it there will come a day when we are greeted with it. Hell many days depending on how you look at it. It could be as small as, but still not easy, the death of a relationship, a chapter in our life, a dead end job, or moving from one place to another. OR it may be something more permanent feeling and hard to swallow like letting someone close to us move on from this life, a pet that has met their last days, or it is you yourself passing on. No matter what, how, where, or when in life, death of something always feels like the end. BUT if we look at the first examples I gave they often lead to another door opening, a better opportunity, growth or a rebirth in some shape or form. So I ask, why do we have to look at the last few examples without the same positivity and enlightenment? Don’t get me wrong this isn’t that love and light bullshit. Death never seems to come without some form of heartache, challenge, or discomfort. Often times all three and and then some. But It can also bring with it release, relief, rebirth and growth if we are willing to surrender and accept it. So it is with that, that I wish, hope, and pray that however it comes and whenever it comes, it comes with ease for each and everyone that goes through it, experiences it, and witnesses it. May strength, support, and love be on your side.

With that being said this past moon cycle has been rough to say the least. Lots of challenges for me to overcome and many new ways of looking at life. I went into it with high hopes but was faced with the worst. My mothers brain cancer had returned just a couple months ago and we went through many of struggle to try and fight it. But devastatingly this month we reached a point where there was nothing more the doctors or my family could do but to help comfort her. I was faced with one of my, and probably many others, worst fear.

My Mother passed away on August 20th, 2022. I am thankful I was able to be with her and my family in this heartbreaking and unfortunate time. This has been one of the worst months to date but I have tried my best to hold onto the amazing qualities of strength, love, and resilience my mother instilled in me. I know she no longer has to live in pain. She no longer has to fight something so horrible and unforgiving. With my practice and my beliefs I feel she is in a state of relief. Rebirthed into the beautiful soul she encapsulated so wonderfully in her time here on earth. That is something that gives me comfort in a time that comfort seems impossible,

This last week I have dedicated time to making a special space for her in my home so I am constantly reminded and gifted with her presence and wisdom. As I built this altar dedicated to her, I was reminded of her resilience to always follow her heart. She always put herself out there to show people their own resilience and strength. She was so giving, kind, and unapologetically herself. A beautiful soul that paved the way to help someone else gain the courage to walk a path of their own. She taught me so much as a child that shines through so strongly in my practice. She was never afraid of the dark. She would tell me "I'm the scariest thing there is in the dark!" Haha. It made me smile every time and I forgot my fears. It was embracing these memories that I was reminded of sharing my stories. This blog, I had forgotten about in the tornado of emotions I had been feeling. I was quickly reminded that I had work to do. Stories to share that may help someone else even if they are hard to share. Experiences that may be a guiding light as my Mother was for so many in the short time she was gifted onto this planet. Her strength pushes me forward to follow my passions. Hopefully it pushes someone else to follow some of their own. Be fearless, get out there, and LIVE.

I’m not sure where this blog was particularly aimed but if anything it is a reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel. That your strength will push you through if you take a chance to find the beauty in the darkness. With every death there is a rebirth. With every shadow their is light. After every night the sun will rise. Even in the darkest times you can find that glimmer within if you take a second to sit with it. It’s not always easy, it’s not meant to be. Growth comes from outgrowing and outgrowing is uncomfortable. Whatever death you are experiencing in life there is something to take from it. I know that as hard as this goodbye was it wasn’t a full goodbye. It was a goodbye for now, a goodbye to the way I knew my Mom up until now. It was goodbye to the physical aspect of her, but her spirit, her love, her passion and zest for life lives on in so many ways and in so many people. I get to be lucky enough to carry her blood, her teachings, her traditions and mannerisms. In a way I feel almost closer to her. She is around constantly now. In every memory, thought, laugh, cry, feeling I am reminded of her and the words she’d speak or the ways she’d react or the way she would comfort me. I’m reminded of how much of her has been passed onto me. And that brings me light in such a dark time. As my favorite quote states;

“Everything will be okay in the end, If it’s not okay it’s not the end” - John Lennon

As for me…. This is not the end. My Mother would not want me to hold back and let grief take over. So with this New Moon I vow to push forward. Striving to share what I have learned through my shadows, my life, and my practice in hopes that it will help someone on their own path. The way my Mom had helped so many in their dark times. It’s what she would want to see me doing. I’m hopeful to learn more wisdoms from her from the other side of the veil. Until then I’ll keep striving to carry on the beautiful things she has taught me in life.

I hope this brought someone a relatable story, a dose of comfort, a push to continue forward, or just a read to ease your mind. Until the next. - Rhythm.Witch

In loving memory of Diana Rose.

May you live on forever in our hearts Mom.

5/10/71 - 8/20/22