When we lose someone (or something) that we loved and cherished it is difficult.  Our world as we know it is irrevocably changed.  We grieve and mourn deeply for whom we have lost.  Our “normal” is no longer a part of our lives and there is no way we can get back to that state of normalcy.  Grieving is hard and painful to experience but, it is important to remember a few things:

• You are not alone.  This is so important.  There are people and supporters in your world who are available to help you through a very difficult time in your life.
• It is better to go through grief than go around it or avoid it all together.  Loss and the grief it causes will change you from the person you were before.  Addressing the loss will allow you to heal.  You will not forget or return to the way you were, but you will be able to continue living your wonderful life that is filled with joys, and yes, sorrows.

Grieving is a personal journey – one that we navigate in our own way.  How we address and deal with that grief is a very individual experience.  Others will often offer advice based on their own experience or bias.  The following “Mourner’s Bill of Rights”   from Alan D. Wolfelt, PHD offers some insight on how we can address and express our grief.

 

Grief Events

Sessions:	Date/s:	Time:	Location:	Info:
Pear Grief Support Group	September to December	6.30 to 8.:00 pm-ish	Northern Lights College	Walk in session open to anyone at any time.
Broken Circle Grief Support Group	October 1, 2024 – to December 3, 2024	6.30 to 8.30 pm	Northern Lights College – Room	Open to the public.  You must register before the start of this workshop.

 

Grief Projects

Wind Phone

“The Phone of the Wind was created in Japan by its creator, Itaru Sasaki, while grieving his cousin who died of cancer. He purchased an old-fashioned phone booth and set it up in his garden. He installed an obsolete rotary phone not connected to wires or any “earthly system.” Here, Itaru felt a continued connection to his cousin and found comfort and healing amid his grief. Itaru gave his phone booth a name, Kaze No Denwa (風の電話), translated as The Telephone of the Wind.”

Would something like this be a good thing in Fort St. John?

 

Links in Support

• Ketteringhealth Grief Support 
• Rainbows Canada – Grief Support for Children
  • Rainbows For All Children Canada is a national not-for-profit charitable organization that fosters resilience and emotional healing among children grieving a loss from a life-altering event. By partnering with schools, hospitals and social service agencies we provide support when they need it, where they need it, right in their communities. Rainbows for All Children Canada fosters awareness that youth require support to heal. Our programs build confidence and self-esteem, improve communications, prevent destructive behaviors, and improve academic performance.  We provide research proven methods to support children and youth at each age and stage of their development and extensive, interactive training for the volunteers delivering our services.
• BC Hospice and Palliative Care Society
• British Columbia Bereavement Helpline
• Mending Losses – FSJ based FB group.  Hosted by Heather Boswell