Carol Ludwick - Chicago Celebrant
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At heart, I'm a storyteller.
I’m a late blooming, former girl next door who grew up believing in the magic of a good story. Winne the Pooh introduced me to his friends in The Hundred Acre Wood, Ookpik the owl took me on his travels , and I helped Nancy Drew solve mysteries on summer vacations. (I was the girl who carried a notebook on the beach, questioning folks as I searched for clues.) Professionally, I've been at it for nearly 20 years, honing my craft through writing, acting and photography. But what brought me here was the passing of my mother. Our family was not affiliated with any organized religion and I didn't know who would lead the funeral. A friend suggested that I be the one to "hold the space" for the ceremony. I knew I'd write and deliver the eulogy, but lead the ceremony? Anything for my beloved mama, so I jumped in. One of the best leaps I've ever made. I didn't know it at the time that the role I was actually filling was that of a celebrant. Heck, I'd never even heard the term. But I knew in my heart that I wanted to help people tell their stories and that the ritual element I so loved would enrich and deepen the experience. When I found The Celebrant Foundation and Institute, I was in disbelief. Wait, there's a school that teaches about the history and practice of ceremony, ritual and rites of passage? I could weave my skills with my passion? I had come home. And when I'm not doing this work? You might find me happily curled up with one or both of my sweet tabby cats, Merlin and Arthur, out sailing on Lake Michigan with my husband David or playing one of my many drums. ( Eight frame drums, one djembe and counting...) |
In my happy place on this lake that thinks it's an ocean.
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