sophia vl

My husband was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2022.  We were profoundly saddened, paralyzed and shocked at this unwelcome guest in our lives.  As we learned to live with a new and shorter future time together, close friends shared their experience with Lana and Ivan's ceremony.  Having never done anything like this before, I was curious and apprehensive.  We did our research, sat with it for a good amount of time, and it became clear that this was the right thing for us as separate individuals, as well as us as a couple, to do together.  

We had extensive counselling beforehand with them to set our intentions.  Our private ceremony supported own uniquely individual paths that day, as well as important connection and talking afterwards.  The evidence of what this experience gave me has become more clear as time has gone on.  I experienced a deep dive into my life and my past, completely free of self-judgement. This enabled me to have access to an inner wisdom that was liberated from self-doubt, and nullified the mental and emotional clutter.  It was magnificent, calm, clear and grounding.  My goal was to enable me to move forward unencumbered by all my inner nonsense so I can focus on what is most important: my husband, our kids and each precious day moving forward. 

Being human, my after-ceremony life is as human as ever, and there also are islands of absolutely clear groundedness that I only impersonated before.  There will be another ceremony in my future, and I believe I will know when that time comes.  

Lana and Ivan, thank you for helping me find my own voice and path, to clear the clutter and create this experience that enabled me to access what is deeply true for me.  Thank you for creating a special and safe space for us to have this critical conversation with ourselves and each other.

-Sophia VL