Contributing Writer: Gina Orlando (Ep 320)
My spirituality is rich, wide, and deep across the world religions.
I titled one of the readings in my service “Lover of God.” I’ve been gifted to feel the presence of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with me all the time. I know I’m going to the Light (there may be some life review along the way) and it’s a wonderful place of Love and Peace. I feel that I can revive and plan the next lifetime. I also feel very close to the wonderful Ascended Masters of Mary, Magdalene and other wonderful representatives of the Divine Feminine. They can help us heal this world of the distorted masculine energy and help bring about a partnership of a healthy feminine and masculine energies to create a new society. We can help that effort.
I yearned to hear the beautiful music, to see all the people, to have my family finally experience my life in Oak Park, to feel the energy in the room and experience the service. I’d say 95% of the people at my service were so very supportive of this – not only for me, but possibly for them or one of their loved ones.
I’m SO grateful I went with my gut sense… and I had some fun signs from the universe including when asking for a sign I heard a marching band playing a requiem piece!
Why wouldn’t I invite everyone I know?! Livestream is a gift. We had family on both sides who couldn’t come in because of babies being born, for example. I have many out-of- town friends and encouraged them not to come, since I wouldn’t have time to visit. And then I invited online members of Compassion and Choices and fellow students in an intensive Mary and Magdalene priestess training course that I’m taking.
This is one of the arts, and great challenges, in creating a service, to decide on what to include and not have it be too much. So, I was challenged because I’ve had a big and full life. I also had to create a new form for this celebration.
I wanted to share about me, my loves and challenges. I’m good about being transparent. As a practitioner (wellness coach and hypnotherapist), I’ve been in nearly 10,000 client hours and know that people have similar pain, trauma, and suffering. I wanted to share my beautiful, alive spirituality to hopefully inspire and teach. I loved the great spiritual diversity in the congregation, which mirrored my life.
I wanted to create beauty and show that I still have worth, skills and the chops to do a big and interesting ritual that touches people. When creativity is squashed, illness in mind, body and spirit happens.
I wanted to give permission to people to die, to talk about dying, to think about how they want their end of life. I took other risks, and one of them was writing my own readings. It worked! I wanted to lift up not only my decades in social and environmental justice work but also raise up vital issues for healing our country and world.
It also became a healing service for all, which was also my intention. I am so proud of that. The ritual of light with various items and aspects of my life on the altar was very touching. And you can’t orchestrate a bat flying in at the end! The symbolism of a day bat is “release from all fears.” I love when the universe talks in creative ways!
I loved the experience. It was beyond what I had hoped it to be. The love in the room coming to me, as well as mine going to people created a cyclical, powerful energy that was so strong, beautiful, healing. In my decades in this church, I have never experienced this energy. I’m so very grateful. And it was overwhelming, in ways.
My big suggestions to all who are inspired to do a living memorial, don’t be the events planner, too. And keep it simpler. At about the time of the Light Ritual, my gas tank for details went to empty and my tank to receive was starting to get extra full. I got a little dazed.
Currently, I take one day at a time. Because of my knowledge, wisdom and practice of holistic health approaches, I feel well. It’s odd for people to see me doing well, having Stage 4 cancer for years – they can’t quite put it together. That’s the gift of a holistic approach.
I don’t feel fear or focus on the cancer or any of the possible awful outcomes. I’m managing the pain naturally and I’m comfortable. I do a lot to feel well including eating organic healthy foods, many supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies, a green smoothie for breakfast, PT, movement, and several forms of energy medicine work.
I still work part-time. So, my days are full. But I’m not superwoman (nor wish to be). Part of the reason I wanted to do this service was to be my bigger self, to do a big, beautiful thing, and it was perfect medicine.
I don’t feel that I’m dying now. I feel I’ll have at least 1½ years. It’s a mystery that we all face. I want to leave well and leave my husband well. I’ve got to get rid of some of my stuff!
So much energy is still coming to me about this service. I’m sharing with people that I’ve created other memorial services and funeral masses (much simpler), but beautiful and personalized. I like helping people with that creative, beautiful and sacred process. Each service was so different from the others. That’s the beauty of a good memorial service. And doing a living memorial gives the person so many gifts of seeing people they love, hearing things that people want to share, and being part of creating holy, healing, beauty. I also love helping clients with their fears, anxieties and issues that my mind-body-spirit counseling practice can help them. Ginaorlando.com and 708-524-9103
Lessons about dying and death:
Deepen in your spirituality, whatever that is. If your spirituality is not vibrant, find some ways to connect with Source, whatever you call that force, that speak to you strongly and comfort you. It will buoy you at this time of end of life. Many people are yearning for spiritual support.
Where do you go when you die? What do you believe? If you don’t know or don’t feel it’s a good place, you have time to learn and grow into, maybe, another belief system.
Get to know how the holistic healthcare system can support you to be a more vibrant elder. This system excels in improving, even healing, chronic conditions. Yes, it takes some time, money and energy to feel and be better, but health is wealth. There are forms of energy medicine you can use which help balance energy within your body, mind (thoughts are energy), emotions (feelings are energy) for health. Some are very common such as Yoga, Tai Chi, QiGong, acupressure or acupuncture, energy balancing exercises we can do. There are many practitioners such as Reiki, Healing Touch, Donna Eden Energy Healing Practitioners that can help in dynamic ways. There is also homeopathy and flower essences (great for stuck emotional patterns). There is an array of light and colored light devices. You may wish to look into red light therapy to help rejuvenate, reduce pain and inflammation, and more. You can get your own device and make it so convenient to use. Make sure it’s powerful enough. I use several forms of energy medicine, some of it transmitted at a distance and I’m sure that is one of the reasons that I’m doing so well.
I took a 7-week course with Anne Gallagher from the Conscious Dying Institute called “The Best 3 Months of Life.” It was all about thinking about and preparing for the end of life in a more full, creative way. It was so very helpful. We each have a lot of work to do to prepare, and to leave our partners and children well. Another great group is Compassion and Choices. Go to their website for the clear, helpful information. Start with their “My End-of-Life Decisions” booklet that you can fill in.
If someone is so afraid of death that they can’t approach any of this discussion or resources, they may wish to seek out a spiritual director (they are simply wonderful conversation partners) or a therapist who specializes in these issues. Your fears and suffering can be lightened.
I’m going for “Happy, healthy… then dead, without the horrible slide.” I see it and feel it as real. I am prepared if other scenarios arise.
I want people to know that there are ways to be comfortable and supported at the end of their life. There is hospice and death doulas. There are options for letting go more easily. I believe as souls we have some ownership about when we go and should have some ownership in when and how we go. I have been abhorred how the medical system wants to keep people alive when the body and person clearly are wanting to leave.
Please think about what kind of memorial or service you want. Give details to loved ones. Please don’t just leave it to them to figure out. And if you are intrigued with a living memorial – what would it be? Have fun with it. You get to choose. You are so worth the love, attention and creativity. People are mostly so gracious and loving. It’s your party. It’s your life to celebrate. Go for it!
The direct link to my Celebration of Life service is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay5RdVEay7w
on the Ascension, Oak Park, YouTube channel. The
program is there, just click on the link. You can also
get subtitles by clicking on the cc button to the right
of the arrow. The recording starts with people
entering the church. Prelude music starts at marker
[12:40] and the service starts at [24:35].
Wednesday Journal article on me and my Celebration of Life service
https://www.oakpark.com/2025/02/05/print-edition-february-5-2025/ pgs.1 and 14, and part of the editorial, pg. 23
