I Am A Griever

Jim – Humour and grief

June 13, 2023

Jim talks about how humour can help us cope with grief. “I’m Irish, and we have a saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine.’ I believe that humour can help us to see the lighter side of life, even in the midst of pain. It can help us to connect with others, and it can help us to find hope. I encourage you to find ways to laugh, even when you’re grieving. It might not always be easy, but it can make a big difference.”

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Video

Beauty found at the edges: a portrait of community support

March 1, 2023

I’d sent a text saying “Hello friends, I’m putting out a call for flowers. I went to public school with Kory, the young man who died in downtown Cobourg this week, and though I hadn’t seen him in recent years, I feel the loss of him on a community level, as I imagine you do, too. Some of Kory’s people are gathering tonight in vigil at the bank where he died, and I’m gathering flowers from those of us who have gardens to share with this grieving community. Do you have some blooms in your garden that you’d be willing to share?”

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Griever / I Am A Supporter / Supporting Others

Caileigh – Advice to my younger self about grief

February 23, 2023

Caileigh talks about things that you can do to balance out feelings that it’s okay to experience all of the big feelings that you have, to find joy in little moments, and to find ways that you can cope with those big feelings.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / Video

Pet Loss: When People Fall Silent

April 21, 2024

A few days after the birth of my younger brother, my father was taking the dog he and my mother adopted from the humane society, along with my twin and I, to the veterinarian. Years later, my father would share how many times he wiped his eyes on the car ride there. Yoda shared 16…

Blog Post / I Am A Griever / pet loss

Scott – The grieving process

February 6, 2023

Scott talks about how his song ‘The Good Man James” was about his father, their relationship and how it helped him process their relationship. Find the song at his website www.dotbmusic.ca

Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / Music / Video

Grief Busting Zine [Downloadable!]

December 23, 2023

This zine is designed by mental health professionals and contains information about grief, different types of grief we may experience, gentle reminders on how to move through grief, as well as tips for those who may be supporting someone in their life who is grieving.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / I Am A Supporter

John – What I have learned

February 23, 2023

John explains how he has changed since his wife died and now looking back what he would say to his self right after his loss

Death of A Loved One / Death of a Partner / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others / Video

Mourning a Man I Never Knew

June 15, 2023

This spring, I turned fifty-four. I have now outlived the father I never knew: my biological father. It’s been almost twenty-three years since we spoke; eighteen years since I learned of his death. I’m still dealing with the strange grief of his loss.

Blog Post / Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever

Grief & Ice Cream

January 25, 2023

When my wife of 18 years died in 2016, I became a single father missing the love of my life, and also had to learn how to raise two girls (13-17 at the time) on my own. I remember a conversation I had with my mother-in-law and oldest daughter that began as reminiscing over a person who became a lost love to all of us. We all talked about different aspects of my wife but shortly, it transformed into a “who meant more to her” fest.

Blog Post / Death of a Child / Death of A Loved One / Death of a Parent / Death of a Partner / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others

Holding Space for The Many Faces of Grief on Father’s Day

June 15, 2024

A lot of blog posts and articles about grief and special days tend to focus on how to navigate these moments when our loved one has died. Often these articles of grief also talk about the ways we have deeply loved or cared for the person who has died. Grief is a natural response to…

Blog Post / I Am A Griever

Joyce – Walking beside people who are stuggling with addiction

April 23, 2023

Joyce explains why it so important to help people who are struggling with addiction

Death By Overdose / I Am A Griever / I Am A Supporter / Supporting Others / Video

Joyce – Being gentle on yourself

April 23, 2023

Joyce explains the importance of being gentle on yourself in grief as you face guilt and should haves

Death of a Child / Death of A Loved One / I Am A Griever / Video