In Case of Emergency.....

2/24/2016

I am not dying. I am not in a health crisis. I wanted to write this letter to make sure I have said what I want to say in case life takes a turn I do not expect.

To All of You Who Love Me,

I love life. I have even come to love the struggles. I love overcoming them. I love our ability to transform our lives. I love how we love each other and how that love never ends. I love meeting new people and sharing the journey of this life with them for as long as I get to. I love life.

At some point in this life we share, I will no longer be able to physically journey along with you. No one knows the manner of his or her life, but I wanted you to keep some things in mind when my body starts to no longer serve its purpose. Please remember that I do not wish to die in the hospital if that can be avoided. I know that might be impossible, but if at all possible, I wish to die at home or in hospice care. Since dying at home might make things difficult for you, reach out to those in the alternative death care world. Find a death doula or get connected with hospice at home. Get support for yourselves.

If you wonder what kind of music I want to hear, remember I have always loved the music others want to share with me the most. I have always connected to people who love music and I have grown in my appreciation of music by the love others have shown me of the music dear to their hearts. On the other hand, if you wish to sing I would love to hear the Paschal Cannon, The Paschal Tropar in as many languages as you can manage, The Angel Cried and the Pascal Verses. You might notice a theme here. That is not by accident.

I want each of you to know that I love you and forgive whatever little thing you think stands between us. It does not. I hope that you can forgive my shortcomings for I know they are many.

Love,

Caroline

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Caroline Vuyadinov

I graduated from St. Vladamir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York with a Master of Divinity. I trained as a chaplain following graduation and worked with a wide variety of people.

When I moved to Canada, I began work in a women's halfway house in Hamilton, Ontario which worked with women in conflict with the law on a federal level. I became the program manager and loved working alongside the women, creating their plans for their reintegration back to the community. I also worked as a liaison with the parole board, parole officers and other community service providers.

Upon my return to the United States, I worked in the Death Care Industry as a Family Service Counselor, which lead me to become a green burial advocate. I co-founded Midwest Green Burial Society with Juliann Salinas. I speak to community groups and have developed practical seminars for a variety of audiences. I have been interviewed on a national podcast and was featured on a WGN spot dealing with green burial.

In Case of Emergency.....

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Caroline Vuyadinov

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