Love is the Answer | A Story of Friendship, Life, & Mortality
This text originally appeared in Liz’s Neurodivergent Letters, an affirming weekly email series for highly sensitive, neurodivergent adults who feel burnt out from wearing masks all day & are re-learning who they really are.
This article caught my attention (& my heart) recently: She invited her friends to come together to make her casket.
In a nutshell: the article is about a woman who receives a terminal diagnosis, knows that she wants to make her own casket, and invites her friends to help her. They spend hours weaving a burial tray made of willow & pine, under the guidance of a basket weaver.
It is a profound story of friendship, love, & mortality.
Here’s what stood out to me (& the intentions they invite into our lives):
🪷 How beautiful it is to be in relationship with people in this deep, unwavering, and courageous way.
The woman in the article, Brokopp, is quoted as saying: “It is my wish that we all talk about death a little bit more easily, because we all face it. I knew some of my friends would struggle with doing this, and I asked them anyway, and they came anyway. So it’s a gift that they’ve given me, and I hope I gave them a gift also.”
Intention: May we show up for each other until the very end, not just when it’s comfortable & convenient, but through the uncomfortable & scary parts of life as well (when we need each other most).
🪷 How helpful it is to have a shared activity to gather around, in times of uncertainty. The article states: “she’s undergoing treatment for her cancer, but it’s not clear how much time she has.” This statement holds truth for all of us. We do not know how much time we have on earth; the only thing that’s guaranteed is this moment right now.
The way these friends gather to weave a basket together, that will one day hold their friend’s body, is one of the most meaningful ways I can imagine to commune with loved ones.
Intention: May we hold our people close & allow ourselves to receive love and care as generously as we give it.
🪷 How good it feels to connect with nature. In the article, Brokopp touches the rows of willow that will become her casket, and says: “I like the material. I love how it feels, because it’s cool, and it’s wet.” It reminds me how comforting the tactile stimulation of nature can be to the nervous system.
Intention: May we always remember our connection to the earth & take care of our bodies and the earth as if they were one (because they are).
If any of these intentions resonate with you, I hope you’ll share them with someone you love... and remember to not delay the important conversations.
With care,
Liz
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About the Author
Liz Zhou (she/her) is a neurodivergent therapist, coach, and speaker. She helps highly sensitive, neurodivergent adults & couples heal their nervous systems and connect with their authentic selves, using brain-body modalities (Brainspotting, EMDR, IFS, psychedelic integration) that are quicker & more effective than traditional talk therapy. Liz offers Nervous System Healing Intensives online worldwide.
