I Am A Griever

John – What I have learned

John explains how he has changed since his wife died and now looking back what he would say to his self right after his loss

Adam – Crying and singing

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

Angie – Grief and Policing

Angie talks about policing and priorities and the importance of self care

Joyce- Learning to live with grief

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

Joyce – My Story

Joyce shares her story about the sudden death of her son in an accident and how she has coped by helping others in need

Jessica M – A Parking Lot Memorial

Jessica shares how her family gathered after her uncle died during COVID and how her family came up with a creative way of getting together in a parking lot.

When Death Feels like a Thief

In the heart of my grief, at my frailest, all I could see was what was no more. I grieved all that was stolen from me by death; love, security and even my very self. Had I known the value of having every pocket of who I was, picked bare by grief, I would not have fought so hard to hold onto it all.

Nicole – Grieving as a community

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

A Million Other Things: Grieving a Drug Poisoning Death

Sister, father, son, niece, best friend – some of these words might be how you would describe your loved one who has died of an overdose or drug poisoning. People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) are not defined by their substance use – they are a million other things to those who love and miss them dearly. Drug poisoning and overdose deaths are stigmatized in our society. The focus is on how the person died, not who they are. Society still holds onto old notions and beliefs about drugs which come with a value judgment about people who use drugs, which further contributes to stigma. Not everyone who uses drugs is an addict and not all drug use is inherently problematic. People who use drugs deserve dignity and respect when we are remembering and honouring those who have died by overdose or drug poisoning.

Lyss – Seasonal Reminders

Lyss seasonal reminders and her mother dying at New Years

Joyce – Beliefs

Joyce talks about her belief system after her son died

Nicole – Pandemic’s Effect on Grieving as a Community

Nicole discusses the ways the pandemic has affected the way people grieve as a community.