I Am A Griever

Keeping Records

November 17, 2023

I pulled the photos out of their envelope one at a time, turning over each one to carefully record the date, place, and people in the photo. Sometimes, I included comments. “Apple picking in Hamilton with Pop Pop, Fall, 2023. You loved the wagon ride!”. I slipped each picture into an empty pocket in my son’s photo album.

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

John – Lasagna

February 23, 2023

John talks about the “widower’s meal”… Lasagna, and learning how to cook for his daughters after his wife died

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

Angie – Cumulative grief, cumulative trauma

July 29, 2023

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

First Responders / Grief and Trauma / I Am A Griever / Video

Jessica’s Reflections as an Adult Grieving Child

November 16, 2023

Parents or trusted adults are people children often turn to for support, but my circle of trusted adults was shrinking. My peers were focused on what to wear on civvies day (a day where we didn’t have to wear a uniform), while I was focused on just surviving.

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

Things That Helped When My Dog Was Dying

August 28, 2024

I lived with a dog named Althea, who belonged to my roommate, during my undergrad. Every year, my partner, our roommate, and I would go to a summer solstice festival. The year Althea was pregnant, my roommate brought her to the festival. The first night there, he retired to his tent to nap in preparation…

Blog Post / pet loss

Adam – Advice

December 21, 2022

Adam shares his advice about losing and remembering a loved one

Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / Video

Lyss – Depression, Anxiety, and Self Harm

March 23, 2023

Depression, anxiety, self harm, theapy, support, mental health, suicide

Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / Suicide / Supporting Others / Video

Practicing Self Compassion while Grieving

September 25, 2024

Grief is messy, confusing, enormously painful, and never seems to follow a linear path. This is when we need to take care of ourselves deeply, and yet, why is it that this is also when we beat ourselves up the most? We are good at being compassionate toward others when they are grieving — something…

Blog Post / I Am A Griever

Joyce- Learning to live with grief

April 23, 2023

Joyce shares a story of support from a friend and how she managed in her early grief

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

John – Dating again

February 23, 2023

John talks about being asked by his daughters if he would ever date again

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

Jim – Police culture and grief

June 13, 2023

Jim talks about how grief is a natural part of life, but it can be especially difficult to deal with when you’re in the police culture. There’s a lot of pressure to bottle up your emotions and not show weakness, but that’s not healthy. It’s important to find healthy ways to cope with your grief, whether it’s talking to a therapist, joining a support group, or simply spending time with loved ones. You’re not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to help.

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Video

Craig – There is No Right Way to Grieve

August 1, 2023

Craig talks about his experience with grief and how there is no right or wrong way to grieve. He shares his thoughts on how to allow yourself to do what you need to do to heal, even if it doesn’t seem like “self-care.” This video is a reminder that everyone grieves differently and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing.

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