Hi everybody!
I’m Christy, and I’d love to introduce you to Theda Learn by sharing a bit of my story.
Growing Up Around Death
Growing up on a farm, I became familiar with death early on. We had a lot of animals, and over the years, I lost a favorite dog, the farm cats, and many pigs. It was always sad, but it never frightened me.
When I was 13, my grandma was diagnosed with cancer and passed away just a few months later. Losing her was hard. It was frightening to see her change during treatment, to experience the sadness of her funeral, and to see my dad cry. There were moments of grief that hit me when I remembered she was gone. And yet, death still wasn’t something I feared.
A Career Close to Death
In my late teens and early 20s, I began working as a CNA in nursing homes. I loved the residents I cared for, but that also meant grieving when they passed away. I learned to keep a gentle wall up so that I could love my residents without experiencing deep grief every time one of them died. I’ll never forget the first person I saw actively dying or the one time I helped prepare a resident’s body after they passed. It was a profound experience that taught me respect for those last moments.
While working as a CNA, I was also training to be an EMT, with shifts in the ER where I saw death up close. I was even one of the few students lucky enough to witness and assist in an autopsy—a memorable experience that was both fascinating and intense. I admit, I nearly fainted at first, but I quickly found my footing. Death, while sad, still felt like a natural part of life.
Facing My Own Fears
Then everything changed. I lost someone I deeply loved to suicide, and that loss completely shifted my view on death. Suddenly, I was terrified—terrified of dying and terrified of my loved ones dying. I constantly imagined the ways it could happen, and it became a real, daily fear. Therapy became crucial. I was diagnosed with PTSD, and through therapy, I gradually worked through the fear and trauma. It took time, but eventually, death wasn’t as scary as it had been.
Discovering My Passion for Teaching Death Education
Around that time, I was offered a chance to teach a death and dying class at a local university. And, surprising even myself, I said yes! I was nervous and sometimes found it hard, but I quickly fell in love with teaching that class. I know, it sounds strange, but I found the topics so compelling. I taught college students about the dying process, controversial issues like the death penalty and physician-assisted death, and how people grieve. And although teaching about death might seem like an odd form of therapy, it helped me work through my own fears.
Over the years, I became much more comfortable with the topic of death. Do I still have fears? Yes, and no. Part of me, shaped by that earlier trauma, will always be fearful, but I’ve also come to terms with death as a reality. Now I’m comfortable talking about it—maybe too comfortable if you ask my family! But discussing things like advanced planning matters, and I’ve seen firsthand the value of talking about it openly.
Bringing Theda Learn to Life
When my mom became ill, I found that my years of teaching helped me guide my family through what was happening. While my experience had prepared me in many ways, facing it personally was a whole other experience. This experience brings a new depth to Theda Learn, reminding me just how essential it is to create resources that are educational, practical, and compassionate.
This time, I’m focusing on kids. So many of my college students shared that they wished they’d learned about death and grief when they were younger—it might have eased some of their fears and confusion. Understanding what happens during death can take away some of the fear, even if only a little.
So that’s my journey so far. Now, I’m excited to find interesting—and yes, even fun—ways to teach others about death and dying. I’ll start by creating educational materials for kids, easing in with topics like cultural death rituals, unique ways to remember loved ones, and other areas that don’t feel so heavy. Over time, I’ll learn from everyone I work with—kids, teens, and parents—and let that guide me in creating the most helpful content.
Each of us is on our own path when it comes to understanding and experiencing death, and it’s never a one-size-fits-all journey. My experiences have shown me how important it is to approach this topic with compassion and an open mind.
I’m thrilled for this new journey and hope you’ll join me along the way.
Let’s do this!
Christy Kessens
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