“She left, never to return. I planted a tree and a seed each time I thought of her. I grew a small forest and a large garden and had no one to give the orchids to.”

American writer, director, producer, and death doula

Darnell Lamont Walker is an American writer, director, producer, and death doula. He is known for social impact documentaries and for writing for children's television. He directed and produced films including Seeking Asylum, Outside the House, and Set Yourself on Fire, which screened at film festivals. Walker has also written for Karma's World, Face's Music Party, and Blue's Clues & You!, and was part of the Karma's World team nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program. He is the author of Never Can Say Goodbye: The Life of a Death Doula and the Art of a Peaceful End, a book that reflects on grief, mortality, living fully, and end-of-life care.