Grief and Trauma

Tending to My Garden of Grief

So long as I remember the lives of those I have lost, honour their presence and impact on me and celebrate their spirit, they will continue to live with me and the pain will feel bearable. It will no longer stop me in my tracks. Instead, it will encourage me and propel me forward through the transmutation of that grief into something different, something more nuanced and fluid. I’d like to share a practice for processing grief which I have found to be especially helpful.

Krista – “They are not trying to kill themselves”

Krista explains they are not trying to kill themselves. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Krista – “Changes”

Krista discussed what has changed since her son’s overdose. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Rev. Sky – “What is grief?”

Rev. Sky talks about the universality of grief and how people grieve differently.

Krista – “Things you can do that help”

Krista shares some of the things that help her through the grieving process.

Angie – Cumulative grief, cumulative trauma

Angie discusses the challenges of policing and how trauma and grief can accumulate

Brenda and Dale – “David’s Room”

Brenda and Dale discuss their process of dealing with their son’s room. They continue to grieve the death of their son by suicide.

Donna B – “Support from the military”

Donna explains how great the military support has been. Donna continues to grieve the death her son during service in Afghanistan.

Bryan – Vulnerability

Bryan talks about things are not always OK and that’s OK and things are going to get better

Nicole – Grieving as a community

Nicole discusses the power of grieving together as a community. Finding connection and trust.

Bryan – Empathy for others

Bryan talks about how losing his father to gun violence was difficult and how taking things day by day helped him get through many difficult times. Now he wants to help children who are going through something similar to what he did. Things will get better and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel

Rev. Sky – “Youth alert”

Rev. Sky talks about youth and when it’s time to reach out for support.