Testimonials

Not only has Maria created this inspiring treasure chest of resources, but she is also an excellent facilitator. Maria created a safe and edifying space for the Elders of Horizon House, a Continuing Care Retirement Home, to delve into a topic often avoided in our society: death and dying.

In a series of classes she graciously guided them through her book, The Last Adventure of Life. An Elder reported, "Maria fostered a climate which allowed me to share my fears without embarrassment or shame. I feel empowered to face whatever my future with a new confidence." It is with gratitude I highly recommend this book and Maria, as a presenter, for those who wish to explore the issues concerning the last adventure of life, an experience we will all face one day.
--Rev. Kizzie Jones, Director of Spiritual Care, Horizon House, Seattle

The Last Adventure of Life has been a wonderful blessing for the women in our book study group at Horizon House, a retirement community and life care facility. Maria has made it possible for us to look at and to think about leaving the Earth plane with much less fear and more faith in what awaits us on the other side. Maria's accounts of her experiences in Hospice and her choices of the writings of others will be so very helpful and comforting to us and our loved ones as we approach our own "Last Adventure". Thank you, Maria! Blessings always!
--Louise Barker, Horizon House resident

"Maria brings great heart to a gentle exploration of what it means to experience the losses that come with transitions. As a participant in her workshop, I found tools to shine a light on feelings that had been deeply held but never really shared...and in doing so found new beginnings of healing with grace and warmth and safety."
-- Terra Kelsey, healer

"Having experienced several deaths in my own family, and ministering to countless families in grief after the loss of loved ones, Maria's workshop on grief and end-of-life care was of tremendous benefit. We want all of our Stephen Ministers to have this experience as they also deal with so many who experience loss and grief."
-- Rev. Mark Dowdy, The United Churches of Olympia, Presbyterian (USA) and United Church of Christ

"Thank you so much for a wonderful workshop in Portland...it helped me personally and professionally...the content was varied and all of it interesting...I loved your style and hospitality with each of us...you left me wanting to listen to more and that is a very good thing...I bought your book at New Renaissance and have told others about you and your book...so glad to have connected with you and thank you for all that you gave me--us!! Peace and Joy."
-- Jan Kalberer, M.A.

"After reading a little of The Last Adventure of Life, I heard about the workshop from my volunteer coordinator. This is something that would benefit my hospice work, I thought.

The workshop involved doing some personal grief work. My mom had passed four years ago and I felt I had worked well through that, forgetting that relations with a particular family member had been very strained ever since mom's death. I had perhaps given up on the family member after a few seeming failed attempts, so during the workshop I focused again on Mom.

I came to another new awareness of Mom's passing that day, which was well worth the effort, but in addition I soon realized something else had shifted. Maria shared about forgiveness at the workshop, and encouraged us to do further reading from her book on the subject, which I did.

A few days later, I noticed the change. The resentment I had been carrying since Mom's death towards the family member, was gone. I am now able to think about her and talk to her without the hurt and pain of the past. I am thrilled to have a soft place in my heart again for my sister.

Thank You Maria Dancing Heart."
-- Louise, hospice volunteer

"Maria - I love your gentle, open-hearted approach. You were very flexible and ready to meet the needs of our group, which were very diverse. You are an amazing resource, and seemed to have a wealth of experience and contacts. Your suggestions following some of our questions and interests were helpful.

The flow of the day went well. I'm glad we were given two options for the afternoon. Both were good ones! ... I will appreciate your book as a wonderful point of reference ... Again, thank you for being very thorough in your research and in your presentation. You were quite helpful."
-- Jackie Huetter, hospice lay minister