About Joslyn
I am Joslyn Roadstrom and I am honored to serve you on this journey. Although I have cared for many beautiful souls at the end of life, the current leg of my story started after my only child passed away in 2020. Israel was a special little boy and became free from his physical body at only 22 months, 4 days, and 11 hours. This rocked my world and I spun into shock and depression. I did not want to continue on and it took 7 months to decide I wanted to live. I wrote in a journal, "My life is going to be different now...but it can be beautifully different." And the journey of hating and loving my grief began to unfold. Healing grief has been heart wrenching, eye opening, confusing, and a gift. Healing means honoring the love more instead of the pain.
I decided I really wanted to help people become a better version of themselves. I became a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. I started with getting clients who had unresolved grief. One day when I was asking God who my gifts were meant for and I heard the word Death Doula- almost fell out of my chair. This was it, I had found my calling. This made so much sense to me as over the years, I have felt like there had to be a better way to care for the dying and a better way to grieve. I watched as many died in nursing homes either with no one around or sub-par care. There is a better way and it’s my mission to empower others to have a good death. This work is incredibly sacred and it’s an honor to help others learn better options. It is possible for the dying and their families to find peace and meaning in this period of transition.
Death and grief go hand in hand. I have seen those who can seemingly float through grief, but others including myself who are wrecked by it. To be able to be a companion with others on their journey is a real honor. When I was in acute grief, I did not want to be fixed but I realize now that I lacked grief support that could handle the totality of my emotion. Very few talk about how the nervous system is affected by loss and I have found it is a major factor in healing.
I am a certified death doula through DoulaGivers International and a certified Grief Educator through David Kessler.
I am honored to be a companion for you and to help you in your journey whether its planning for end of life or helping you tend to the garden of grief.
I reside in the beautiful flint hills of Manhattan, Kansas.
Israel and I, February 2019, after his Bone Marrow Transplant.
Israel, July 2020, doing toddler things!
I love things western, boho, flowery, and nature inspired. I grew up a farm girl and have farmed/ranched for most of my life. Being in creation is the best “medicine.” I believe we can learn so much from nature.
I also love to walk, talk with friends, have a good cup of coffee and create. I love to bake, make earrings and do DIY projects involving woodworking, furniture, natural skin care, and plants. If you come to a death cafe, you’ll likely taste some of my latest baking creations. I love to play cribbage and other card games, too.