My Story
My Story It is often that our own life stories become the teachers. My life changed with the death of three beloved family members. One focus is how Conscious Living and dying and Home Death Care changed these challenging experiences and allowed empowerment and healing.Another focus is the transforming of grief to stay open to love and life. My first husband Paul Bergh died suddenly of a cardiac arrest in 1995 at age 54. One year later, my daughter Kirsten and her friend Nina died in an auto accident which I survived with serious injuries. My second husband Jack Heckelman (we met 1998, married 2002) died of lung cancer in 2005. Being a part of a loving community open to support and conscious choices at these thresholds is a central part of this story.
Jack and My Story: 2004-5. This section tells our journey of meeting cancer consciously and openly, and living fully with both mainstream and alternative medicine; of opening a caring bridge website to keep in touch with friends around the country and world during these precious times, of Jack choosing to have his casket made by a niece, and choosing that he wanted a three day vigil as a part of his death planning; of being open to talk about dying and to celebrating life.
I met Jack in 1998, three years after the death of my first husband, and two years after the death of my daughter. It was wonderful to fall in love again. We were married in 2002. Two years later, August 2004, Jack was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Jack lived eight months after the cancer diagnosis. He consciously faced death and did everything he could to live. He created a video of his ethical will. He and I planned his after death care. Community members participated in all aspects.
The Caring Bridge website entries are all included here, and they show our journey, medically, emotionally, and spiritually.
It also includes stories from myself and community members about his dying at home with hospice, care for his body, the three day vigil, and cremation.
A national magazine, the Utne Reader, carried a story “No Regrets” about his journey. That story is included here.
Kirsten Bergh’s story and book After my daughter Kirsten Bergh died with her friend Nina Dietzel in a car accident in 1996, I published a book of her poetry and art as a way to share her spirit with friends and Family. This section tells her story, and has selections of her art and poetry. Her book is for sale.
.My writings This section will include my writings about loss, spirit, and the transformation of grief. Including Dragonfly stories…………… Spirit is always close in many forms
Learn What the New Law Allows for Home Funerals Free Public Forum sponsored by Minnesota Threshold Network Special appearance by State Rep. Carolyn Laine Topics include: ... [Read more]
After Death Care for Jack
Jack Heckelman When my second husband, Jack Heckelman, died recently, he had thought about his plans, and he knew that he wanted to have a home vigil, and wanted to be cremated.... [Read more]
Jack and Linda’s Conscious Cancer Journey
I met Jack in 1998, three years after the death of my first husband, and two years after the death of my daughter. It was wonderful to fall in love again. We were married in 2002.... [Read more]
Jack’s Ethical Will
THE ETHICAL WILL OF T. JACK HECKELMAN I have been privileged beyond belief to have lived a wonderful life – a life of excitement, adventure, fulfillment and service. I have... [Read more]
Jack’s Life Story
Theodore Jack Heckelman January 23,1923, Los Angeles Ca – April 24, 2005 Minneapolis MN Jack Heckelman’s great love and concern for the earth led to a life of 50 years of... [Read more]
Kirsten’s Story
In 1996, my daughter Kirsten Bergh,17, and her dear friend Nina Dietzel, 18, died in an auto accident in New York state, where they were attending a Waldorf High School. I was... [Read more]
Linda’s Life Story
“…In truth, it is life that gives unto life…[we] are but witnesses.” Kahlil Gibran “Oh, I am so glad that you are taking the canoe out onto the water again.” I smiled... [Read more]
Paul’s Story
In 1995, when my first husband Paul was dying in the hospital, we knew we wanted to have the privilege of taking care of his body, and having a home vigil. We didn’t know if... [Read more]
She Would Draw Flowers
SHE WOULD DRAW FLOWERS by Kirsten Savitri Bergh. Please visit www.shewoulddrawflowers.com for more information about this book. This poetry book, written by a 17 year “young”woman,... [Read more]
Utne Reader Article on Jack
To Live With No Regrets By Nina Utne, Utne magazine September / October 2005 Death is a transition for the dying — and for those left behind I recently stopped by the house... [Read more]