I Am A Griever

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

Learning from Grief

December 7, 2022

Grief is weird. Odd start, I know, but that was the sentence I used a lot whenever someone asked me how I was. It was never a constant feeling; it changed day to day. And still does. It’s the full gambit of emotions from sadness to anger to guilt and, though dark, even humour found its way in.

Blog Post / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death of A Loved One / Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever

John – What to do now

February 23, 2023

John talks about the time after the initial period of grief

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

Joyce – Using my grief experience to help people

April 23, 2023

Joyce talks about the positive experiences she has in helping other people in grief

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

Jim – Triggers

June 13, 2023

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Jim discusses triggers, how to recognize them and develop coping mechanisms to help deal with the strong emotions that they can cause

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Video

Kristal – Activism To Ease Anger and Grief

April 23, 2023

Kristal discusses using activism to help ease or channel her anger from the loss of those in her community to drug poisoning. She talks about her grief being very quiet and inward before, but that taking action helps her to move through it. She discusses how there may not be peace from these losses, but the goal should rather be feeling safe in the emotions.

Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / Video

Adam – Crying and singing

December 21, 2022

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Adam talks about how crying and singing helps him cope even at the cemetary

Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / Video

Lyss – My Story

March 23, 2023

Lyss talks about being 16 and her Mom dying from cancer. The second part of her story is about miscarriages

Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / Perinatal

Jim – Preparation

June 13, 2023

Jim shares here is no way to truly prepare for the experiences that you will see as a police officer. You can read about it, talk to veteran officers, and even watch videos, but until you are personally involved in something, you will never know how it will affect you. The best way to deal with the challenges of being a police officer is to expect the unexpected and to be prepared to handle anything that comes your way. Remember, you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you cope with the stress of the job, and there are many other officers who understand what you are going through. If you are considering a career in law enforcement, be sure to do your research and talk to as many people as you can before you make your decision

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Video

Finding Joy During the Holidays After Loss When Everything Feels Awful: A message of hope.

December 10, 2024

My mother died in the middle of the night on January 1, four days before I turned sixteen. I don’t remember much about Christmas the couple weeks before she died, just that we spent a lot of that season in the ICU of the hospital where my mother had birthed my brother and I. For…

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

Grief, Exhaustion, & Rest

March 21, 2024

Many people consider grief to be a response to the death of a loved one, but we grieve so much more than that. Grief is an emotional response to loss of any kind. Both real or perceived loss can trigger the response. The loss of a job, a miscarriage, a breakup, losing a sentimental item,…

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

Angie – My Story

July 29, 2023

Angie shares her story of being a police officer for 31 years , mental health and grief

First Responders / I Am A Griever / My Story Video / Video