Thank you for sending in your loved one’s names, and offering pictures, music, and your stories and letters in remembrance of them. This may be the first time you, or anyone you know has participated in a celebration of life service over the internet. As connected as we are today, globally, the distance through a computer screen can challenge how … Read More
Revisiting Your Grief Story
“Tell me your grief story.” This question marks the beginning of all our bereavement group sessions. Our virtual group sessions were no different. When our weekly meetings began, participants shared their story of their grief with the group, many of them were complete strangers to one another. Over the months, new participants have joined our group. We take special care … Read More
Celebration of Life, A Virtual Community Event
This past weekend marks another public holiday this year that just did not feel quite the same as in the past The idea of celebration does not lend itself well to distancing, fear, along with all the other challenges this pandemic has given us. Yet, we still find a way through to make the most of the core value we … Read More
Where is Grief Stored in Your Body?
This week we will talk about how grief affects your body. The first question I tend to ask is “Where is grief stored in your body?” This question usually follows with puzzled looks. It tends to stop conversation for a moment as we shift from grief talk focused in the head, to thinking “But how does my body feel right … Read More
Expanding our Grief Language
Last week we discussed the topic of loneliness, specifically related to the grief many are feeling right now due to isolation and social distancing. I proposed in my blog the possibility that what we are feeling is not necessarily loneliness, but instead longingness. This was my attempt at expanding our use of language to fully describe or encompass the complexity of feelings … Read More
In Longing There is Hope
As a chaplain, my entire theory of care has depended on one thing: presence. As I mentioned in my first blog of these series, “Longing for Hugs and Hands,” touch and physical presence can offer so much more than words in comforting one another. I am reflective today on the impact isolation has had on all of us due to … Read More
An Activity on Secondary Grief
Today we will revisit last week’s topic of Secondary loss and I will offer a therapeutic (although challenging) activity for you to try. I recommend you first look at the previous blog, if you have not read it yet. But here is a quick refresher: Secondary losses are recognized losses or changes in your life which come as a result … Read More
What is Secondary Grief?
I feel many can agree that right now the passing of time feels…different. Today is the first day of June. For some, this is week 11 of strict social distancing and isolation during this pandemic. Even in our isolation we should take time to acknowledge that Spring has come! The honeysuckle buds are beginning to fall along with their sweet … Read More
New Wisdom
On this Memorial Day, I am especially reflective about the many layers of grief we as a country bear on our shoulders. In this strange time I consider how we grieve collectively, nationally. The veterans we love, our family and friends, spent years of their lives protecting us. Today we honor them and are called to reflect on all veterans … Read More
Unexpected Triggers in Grief
Outside my window I am serenaded by the raindrops, which, in these quiet isolating times, can offer a reflective atmosphere for checking in with yourself. Today’s subject is a heavy one. We are discussing “triggers.” As we move through these lessons and conversations in grief as a virtual group, talk about “triggers” comes up often. Triggers are sensory experiences that … Read More
