Tending Hearts

10/09/2026

It's been a while, and I've been quiet on here. I feel like I'm just reintegrating into 'life as usual' after the fullness of summer and all the lack of structure.

Aside from reconnecting with dear friends and family, a few travels here and there and holding services, I've also experienced loss around me...and have been in service, doula-ing and supporting....

A dear lady I have been end of life doula-ing for a couple of years - a bright, creative spark of light, set off on her next adventure. It was an honour to walk beside her and her family and eventually hold her celebration of life at The Old Chapel.

Closer to home, the following day, our neighbour died, and so we have been offering practical support to the family and held a Memorial Service to acknowledge his gift of gentleness and kindness to the world.

And then, as I headed up to beautiful Nairn to dog sit for my cousin, her gorgeous dog Cosmo collapsed, and it was time for him to head over the rainbow bridge. I was so glad to be there with my cousin to support, and then spent the week with his little brother, helping him process it all, and helping to hold ceremony - returning his ashes to the sea, the forest, the fire and his land.

At times it's felt like a lot to hold, to be up close and personal with loss and grief. But mostly, it's felt like love, truth, connection. Dwelling in this realm doesn't leave space for the superficial, the noise of life drops away. What's left is real, no nonsense, honest...

I was talking to a lovely FD the other day who had a close call with death himself a few months ago, and we said how death has a way of refining our vision. It helps us to realise just how precious this life is and illuminates what matters most.

We celebrate birth and we acknowledge how much someone has mattered after they have gone, but in the meantime, we often forget how precious this life is, and all the people we love in it.

Being a Death Doula and Funeral Celebrant keep me awake to life and love in a way that is so breathtakingly honest and heartswelling, and sometimes, so incredibly difficult...but I am so so grateful for this ever-deepening practice into the preciousness of life.

In Life, In Love..🩷xx

25/08/2026

Dolly...such a light bringer....

Thank you for the music, rest easy bright heart ✨💛 ✨

04/08/2026

Beautiful 💖xx

16/07/2026

I shared something of this sentiment for a wonderful lady last week - she was the 'go to' for so many; her door was always open, and her heart was always ready to receive and make folk feel better. There was so much love in the chapel for her...

Isn't it a beautiful thing how someones legacy lives on through love. So many people after the service spoke of wanting to be more like her - rippling out her ways and letting her be their role model, to be a soft landing place for others.

Loving is the whole point....

Susanna xx

13/07/2026

One of the things I love most about my work is listening to people's stories - how someone lived, what they stood for, how their journey evolved.

It inspires me to be conscious of the fact that THIS IS IT, every day is a gift, to live better, to take risks, to follow my heart.

And, our stories stay alive - whilst someone is spoken of, they are remembered, and therefore, they live on in some way, in our hearts and minds.

So lets keep sharing the stories of our beloveds, and maybe it will inspire us to make our story a good one...

Love in all directions ✨🩷✨

Susanna xx

10/07/2026

Sitting with this today...and feeling into how a dear friend who after losing her father, has discovered a deeper connection to life and her calling. All transitions offer us a glimpse into liminal space and a chance to court the mystery, and this can really open us to the gift of our life and who we are here to be.

Beautiful xx

04/07/2026

One of the things I love most about my job is bumping into families and folk I've held services for in supermarket queues, garden centres, walking around Trentham or often at other funeral services. We always go straight for a hug and we are transported right back to when we were connected at such a difficult time, whether its weeks, months or years before.

The other day I was up at A&E with my Mum. Anyone who knows my Mum will know she can be tricky - it's thanks to her I have learnt patience!! 5 hours in to sitting in a stuffy waiting room, a gentleman slides into the seat beside me...

"Hello Su, do you remember me? I'm sorry, I couldn't not come and say Hi, I hope you don't mind?"

As soon as our eyes met, I was straight back to our first meeting at his home after his beloved wife died, 10 months ago. Right away, our hearts were in synch, and we talked about how he's doing, how his family are getting on. It was clear he was struggling, with watery eyes he shared how hard it is.

Somehow his presence, our conversation about how much he misses his wife, and me digging deep to get through, trying to keep my Mum calm, all collided at once. In amidst our chat, he asked if this was my Mum - he could see how I was with her and I felt his understanding and compassion. Suddenly, I received a flash of insight into impermanence and struggle - the balance between difficult times and the realisation that nothing lasts forever.

It was crystal clear and in focus, the value of it all - the joy and the challenge.

When it was time to go, we had a long hug and I thanked him for coming over, reminding him to call if he wanted a chat anytime.

The journey of walking alongside families and understanding death as a teacher, continues to be a rich schooling and I am so grateful for each lesson.

Go gently, tender hearts,

With love,

Susanna xx

21/06/2026

21/06/2026

Thinking of those missing their Dad's today, and Father Figures and Grandads...and keeping close at heart those without their children…such a marked day to feel their absence....

I am off to get a Fry's Cream bar as is my tradition on Father's Day - it was always the main feature of my gift to Dad and it makes my heart smile whenever I open the wrapper.....

Shining love out to all who need it today.....💓💞💓

13/06/2026

I shared this beautiful poem at a service last week….thought I’d share here too…

Love shining in all directions …💗🫶💗