Briana Blackwelder: A sister, a daughter, a friend, a midwife
My dear friend Briana passed away on Saturday.
I feel privileged to have known Briana, and been able to record some of her powerful words about herself and her calling as a direct entry midwife. Neil and I made this film to honor the power of her words and wisdom.
Briana’s Words, Briana’s Wisdom from Kate and Neil on Vimeo.
I met Briana through another close friend while we were all mucking through undergrad at BYU. She was such an intriguing presence to me. While my friend Amy and I were prone to silliness, loud laughter and ostentatious hi-jinks in those our early 20s, Briana brought a somber and present maturity to our conversations. While we might have attempted to laugh through our sorrows, Briana processed everything in an amazing way and in such depth that I was drawn to her.
We called her Breezer.
When Amy went on to marry in 2005, Briana and I turned to each other more and more to lean on. As our friendship began to deepen, I of course, learned more and more about her passion: midwifery and birthing at home.
There are few people who devote the entirety of their lives to one cause in the natural and easy way that Briana did. That devotion and what she accomplished in helping fight for women’s right and ability to birth at home are remarkable. When she talked of midwifery, she spoke of power, politics, love, empowerment and referred to her role as a midwife as a calling.
Briana had an amazing intuition for helping women.
I introduced her to my sister in law Laura. After meeting Breezer she decided to choose a home birth, even though (or perhaps due to the fact) she herself is a PA, and has worked in labor and delivery at a hospital. As a result of this joyous union, June Ransom was born at home, on our orange couch with Breezer there to catch her.
I trusted her with my family.
So many trusted her with the very beginning of their families.
When I connected her to my friend Ashley this past summer, she became Ashley’s midwife and I began to document them both for a film project for my Feminist Jurisprudence class. These past few months, we have visited, talked endlessly on the phone and really been able to connect as intellectual Mormon women.
Breezer,
I know that you wanted to start studying graphic design, and move to San Franscico or DC or Texas. I know that you wanted to find a man to love, and be witness to the birth of your own babies.
We talked endlessly into the night of summer trips to Costa Rica, and our future street where we would be neighbors and friends forever into adulthood.
I am so, so sad that you are gone.
I want to see your art, be your neighbor, and have you catch my babies.
I want to talk to you just one more time to tell you what an irreplaceable friend you are.
Namaste. I bow to you,
Kate
Many thanks for those who contributed to the film:
Sonya Cotton for her song Hilltop Hymn.
Missy Lambert for her poem. Please read Missy’s beautiful poem about Breezer.
Alisha Stamper for her photographs.
Carolee Beckham for her photographs.
A memorial service for Briana will be held Wednesday in Salt Lake. The service is scheduled for 7 p.m. at 951 E. 100 South, our old chapel.
Themocracy
Kate and Neil,
Thank you so much for your beautiful and hilarious film. The ending is so perfect and happy for my heavy heart today. Thank you for sharing it with me this morning; my daughter and I watched it with smiles and tears on our faces.
I feel as though you captured some of my favorite conversations with our shared friend. I can’t believe you captured the caramel story! We would laugh about that analogy every Christmas as we HAND-STIRRED caramels for an hour! I’m so grateful to you for your gentle + powerful work.
Kate, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend! Thank you for writing such a moving tribute to her.
Such a moving tribute. She is a magnificent woman and will be greatly missed. We have more footage to give to you of their interviews at the house. When you are ready.
Kate, this is really wonderful. Thanks for putting it together. For some reason all week I’ve kept thinking about her color-coded bookshelves, and when I saw that shot of her in front of the shelves it really touched me.
Beautiful! I’m a FMH reader ( and a doula) and saw the video there, and I would love to know where the painting in the video came from ( with the woman and the angels), I have never seen something like that and loved it!! I am so sorry for your loss!!
Melissa,
Sorry to just now get back to you, but I’m in finals period.
The painting is by Brian T. Kershisnik. This is where to get official prints, I believe.
So beautiful, you two. Thank you for taking the time to put together such a marvelous tribute. I am now of the opinion that everyone I love should be subjected to eight hours of recorded interviews on a semi-annual basis, because I can’t imagine a greater gift to Breezer’s family and friend-family than what you all were able to create.
Thank you again, so, so much. When I couldn’t imagine something helping, this did.
thanks for leaving this link on my blog. I’m so happy you have this footage! it was wonderful to hear her voice.
Kate and Neil, Thanks again for the great video interview you made. I’m glad you became better friends over the last 6 months and were able to share ideas and collaborate. Like Amy said, we are so grateful to have video footage of her, and it’s even better that she is talking about midwifery.
We miss her so much, it’s nice to watch the video over and over
I’ve been trying to find this again since April. How I miss our Bri, for it seemed like she managed to belong to everyone while still being completely her own. Thank you for the beautiful tribute.
Thanks so much! I was just watching this yesterday. We really miss her too! Sometimes I think it can’t be true that she’s really gone, esp. when I watch her videos and see her so full of life and wisdom.