Birds Hold our Secrets - by Anna M Biley (Paperback)

About the Book

Anyone who has ever helped someone transition from life to death needs to read this. And those who have yet experienced a death will want to read this to understand conscious dying.

Book Synopsis

An important addition to the literature of Unitary Caring Science and Conscious Dying, Birds Hold Our Secrets explores the universal question of how do we, as nurses, nurse our own?

Drawing on her many years as a nurse, mother and wife, Biley tenderly takes us on an autoethnographic journey of conscious dying as she supports her beloved nurse academic husband Fran. Diagnosed with cancer, Fran's wish was to die mindfully - whatever the circumstances. Anna travels alongside whilst trying to balance normality in family life. Painfully tender, Anna offers an insight in what it's like to consciously care for a loved one the way they wish to die - honoring the sacred covenant until the end. Biley skillfully guides the reader on a Caritas pilgrimage as she lives out Caring Science principles, digging deep to remember her life's purpose, which resonates for us all.

The book offers important advice and new thinking on issues surrounding grief, death and dying, Watson's Caring Science, Nurse Theory, Conscious Dying, Healthcare Systems, Nursing and Palliative Care.

READERSHIP This story will touch anyone experiencing grief or death of a loved one. Nurses, Chief Nurse Officers and Healthcare Professionals using Caring Science Theory. Conscious Dying Institutes and Hospice workers can use it as a guide for families and others as inspiration. Holistic Health Practitioners, Therapists and Mindfullness practitioners. Death Doulas, Memoir Poetry - using the 'cut up technique' inspired by William Burroughs. Autoethnograghy.

Review Quotes

"Biley's exposé of grief, love, and remembering purpose; transcends science and self and unites the reader into the unitary field of human existence-non existence, in harmony and one with nature, life cycles, environment and the cosmos." Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, LL (ANA)

"Biley offers a loving, intimate lens through which we can expand our view of what being in service to those who are dying means and can be."

Tarron Estes,

Founder & Director, Conscious Dying Institute

"Birds Hold Our Secrets is written from the heart of a gentle, compassionate and inspiring woman whose loving care her in her husband's dying is courageous and moving and teach us of the depths of love and loss and love again."

Antonia Rolls, Artist and Soul Midwife