Supporting Others

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.

John Martin – Coping with grief part 2

John talks gives some pointers to help cope with loss

Nicole – Grieving as a community

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

Kim – Checking in is very important

Kim explains why it is so important to check in and keep in touch with people who have lost

Grief & Ice Cream

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.

Amber – Support

Amber talks about following through on offers of support

Matt – Telling my young son

Matt describes the death of his birth mother to his young son.

Maureen – “Peer vs professional support”

Maureen talks about getting help and what is right for you.

Shannon – Power of Presence

Shannon discusses how just showing up, being present is a powerful way of supporting to someone who has lost. Listen more – talk less.

Amber -Helping someone who is grieving

Amber talks about how her grief has helped her learn how support other people in grief.

Amanda – “Listening”

Amanda shares the importance of listening and being comfortable with silence.

Donna B – “Offering Support”

Donna explains how talking/listening is a help. Donna continues to grieve the death her son during service in Afghanistan.