CHECK OUT: The Book of Two Ways

Dear Friends,

Do you:

• love a good romance story? 

• want to learn some super interesting facts about Egypt and tombs?

• like quantum physics and the question of multiverses?

• interested in what a death doula does?
  

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult, may just be the book for you.

It was recommended to me by a close friend's mother, whose eyes widened when she heard that I was studying to become a death doula - she now knew what that was because of this book; and what an intriguing profession to enter into! Jodi Picoult is a phenomenal author with a plethora of titles to her name. It's the indepth research and accuracy with which she writes that had me laughing, crying and turning the pages so quickly. 

"A lot of what we know about Ancient Egypt comes from tombs, so we have proof that great pains were taken to prepare for dying, and what came afterward: The book of Two Ways was the first known map of the afterlife.It was found only in certain coffins in middle Egypt, usually painted on the bottom. If you follow the map, it's like choosing between taking the ferry or driving around - both ways wind up in the same place: the Field of Offerings."

The story covers Egypt in the early 2000s when Dawn Edelstein is a student archeologist, through to today, where she is married to a scientist in Boston, who delves deep into the mind bending questions of multiverses and different dimensional outcomes for each of us. The details are rich and hieroglyphics are fun to explore.

At one point, Dawn beautifully outlines to Win, her newest client,  what her role as a death doula:

"I'm here to assist you and make sure your needs are met right now. I can help you with anything that’s left undone - I can work with you to plan a funeral; I can help you organize you will or your finances; I can clean you garage if the clutter is driving you crazy. I can comb through a storage facility if there's a picture there of your grandmother you really want to see. I can take you to see an opera one more time, or read Fifty Shades of Gray out loud to you. I can organize your social media accounts so that your friends know you've died, when the time comes. I can help move you outside, so you can watch the birds."

What a clear, kind and eloquent explanation of our role! She also explains that death doulas do not provide medication/diaper changes and other things.

Alongside the human story of being a companion to a person who is dying, Dawn shares how she monetises her business (and sometimes doesn't), outlines active dying guideposts including Cheyne Stokes, her own ethical code, what care she is comfortable assisting with and even some things she is not. The 9 Contemplations of Death meditation is referenced, as are the 5 things people are commonly encouraged to say to their dying loved ones - I forgive you. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. Goodbye.

Picoult's representation of a death doula is in-depth, compassionate, honest and raw. The book as a whole is heartwarming, heart wrenching and well worth the read. I hope you enjoy as much as I did - all 3 times, I've now read it!

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Tracie Sievers is a current HHA death doula candidate and aims to bring her services to both humans and animals at the completion of her certificate.