# data[].attributes.headline
Family Portraits: How Families are Transformed by Grief

# data[].attributes.subject
Family Portraits: How Families are Transformed by Grief

# data[].attributes.body
An excellent webinar, thank you to three amazing contributors for your great honesty, eloquence, perception and understanding, a real help to those who attended. I want to read all your books!!!
Edith Summerhayes

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
My grandma's pin cushion. I inherited it after my mum died.

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you for the opportunity to talk about my mum and how she inspired the creation of The Grief Gallery! I loved how engaged  audience members were  -- thank you for sharing your experiences of "curating" your loved ones belongings.

Hearing Jane Harris share how she keeps her son Josh with her, in her heart and physically, was inspiring too. I enjoy imagining Josh joining them on the trip to Kiliminjaro.

Do stay in touch!

- Charlene Lam, The Grief Gallery
IG @curating_grief

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks Stuart Richard Kirsten Alan and Annedeloris for touching on so many important themes which i can relate to as a full time carer for my mum who has this illness. The stigma, the shame, the ignorance, and need for more awareness. The importance of being person centred and being compassionate, kind and having conversations about the grief of losing part of our loved one each day. Great messages to finish the session the importance of taking the time to stop look and listen. Its ok to grief the loss of our loved one to this illness. Being Kind As Stuart so rightly says there is potential in every persons experience.                                               What i have found helpful as  a full-time carer for my mum who is coming to the end of her life and has dementia Is to be grateful i can make this journey its challenging, but she also brings joy dances sings and i value these precious moments.

I wrote this poem to capture my experience. I find poetry helps me to make sense of the world and a nice way to put across my current situation.

Dementia Cruel by Charlie Ryder

Dear Dementia Cruel

I am writing to tell you you’re not taking my mum away
She’ s confused, scared and sees things in a fearful way.

My mum raised   me in a very loving joyful and kind way
Know she is 90 and has dementia It's my turn to care for her for which I feel honoured privileged and blessed to be able to repay.

She has gone through this pandemic believing we are at war.
Reliving the traumas of growing up in Northern Ireland poor.

In constant need of attention what day is it what time is it what day is it what time is it what day is it what time is it what day is it what time is it

You won’t take away my memories of mum’s kindness,
compassion courage and playfulness

Mum Im grateful for the years of service you gave doing nights at tooting bec psychiatric hospital

Where I know you brought a light of kindness, joy and compassion which at the time wasn’t the fashion.

Thank you mum I love you and that love will not be stolen by this dementia fool.

Im grateful for the smiles and funny things you say that will never go away.
Living just for today. I will continue to support you in a patient and loving way.

I am also grateful to all the unpaid carers you are a special group making life more pleasant and joyful for our older generation.

It's an honour to give back and to every unpaid carer I see you, I value you and you give me hope in your courage to follow a selfless path of care, love and dedication

Mum is an artist as well as a nurse a mother a grandmother she has done a few beautiful paintings when she was young and written some beautiful poems i get her to read them when she is well enough to visitors it brings her and visitors joy.

This is TWO of mums poems.

Roses BY Winnie Ryder

I love roses red or white, in any colour or form

I see their beauty and forget they have a thorn

As far back in my youth as I can remember

I picked them in June, July and September

I love the wallpaper with Roses as well

I lived near a shop with Roses to sell

The lady florist made lovely displays

Of Roses and flowers for wedding days

Even at funerals there are roses and flowers

To brighten the church in the sad hours

Roses for new mums when babies are born

Lovers send gifts of roses in chocolate form

The symbol of England is a rose I am told

It is appealing to both young and old

On wood carvings and coins the rose can be seen

Or sometimes on dresses worn by the queen

I have a friend named Rose

She brings the sunshine wherever she goes

Roses on the altar when I say a prayer.

They can be seen in gardens, fields or anywhere

On my china tea set when I have friends for tea

Roses on my summer dress for everyone to see.

My friend Rose loves every flower that grows

That is why she is so named I supposed.

HE HAS ANOTHER LOVER by winnie ryder
He has another lover and it’s a long affair
He has another lover and I don’t think its fair
We met so many years ago and we became a pair
Now that he has another lover I don’t want to share
We married twenty years ago
He promised that he would love me so
We had three children one, two, three
Two boys and a girl you see
He has another lover, ive seen on his face
He has another lover to me it’s a disgrace
He takes this lover to his heart and even his bed
When I speak about this love it makes his face go red
His meeting place the Rose and Crown
or any other other pub in town
He has another lover maybe one or two
The name is Johnnie Walker or maybe Special Brew.

# data[].attributes.headline
Katherine May The power of rest and retreat in difficult times

# data[].attributes.subject
Katherine May The power of rest and retreat in difficult times

# data[].attributes.body
Listening to Mari and Katherine i felt a sense of restoration renewal and recovery I loved what katherine shared about learning to soften as a practice and how rituals and ceremonies can really be part of our healing with the water to wash our face and the lighting of fire I loved how katherine brought in the childrens books reference to wintering and how we have a denial of death and dying . Such a beautiful conversation so much wisdom and i love how katherine finishes Time of grief being in darkness into wintering and her friend telling her my grief can talk to your grief and thats a whole other conversation we can have. Let your grief talk to other peoples grief. Let that flow of understanding happen and you do have to find someone who is soft enough to reply. Anyone tuned into the festival will be finding that softness already. Your doing that right if your tuning into the right connection because you have in you a new room that you didnt have before Its an opening of the space rather than a closing of it and you have to inhabit that space. Its not always a comfortable space it is your space know and you need to make yourself home in it In response to this beautiful conversation i am sharing a song i wrote and puppetry video called love and healing this is some background to the song These are the words of Pascale Stanley singer on love and healing.
. Re-recorded in tribute to Jamie Fletcher who passed suddenly last year. Read on to hear the full story behind this project that is close to my heart. ❤

I first met Charlie when he performed his one man show "Prison" at the Cube Bristol. The performance featuring puppets retold of his experience being arrested and imprisoned after the Welling Race march 1993 when a violent battle broke out between anti BNP protesters and the police. Footage from the riot was exposed on ITV's Crime Monthly and Charlie's face appeared alongside some of Britain's most wanted criminals.

In 1995 he was sent to prison for 16 months. After his release he got a job editing an arts magazine for people in prison and produced a documentary called "Stories of Healing" which brings together the voices of those who have experienced trauma, but have used creative means to heal.

Love and Healing was written for the documentary. When he ran the arts magazine one of those featured Jamie fletcher (member of 90s dance band Flipside) kept in contact. When he was released from prison they met up in a studio in Bristol and his brother in law Jeremy Blick played the guitar, I did the vocals and Jamie produced the track.

In 2020 Charlie decided to re-record the song with a new producer Lee Avant (Engineer for FKA Twigs) with Sax and flute by Sarah Tobias and vocals by me - Pascale Stanley.

Thanks for listening.🙏 RIP Jamie 💜https://youtu.be/0CD6yH8Jfyg

# data[].attributes.body
Wonderful session with Jane Harris and Jimmy Edmonds sharing about there recently published book ‘When Words Are Not Enough – creative responses to grief’ is an attempt to bring what we have learned into some coherent whole”. What beacons of light they both are with there proactive approach to grief and hearing how there son runs boxing sessions on there retreats and there daughter cooks food as a way of continuing bonds To hear the difference there workshops are having on others to creatively express themselves is such a beautiful gift and i also cold swim so get jimmys oww wow factor Im going to get this book as a xmas present from my family and im looking forward to the photos and stories and wisdom. Im also a film and music producer i use puppetry and art in my music videos i produced this in response to climate grief and HAPPY was cowritten with Abi Hercules who also sings and plays the piano on the track.  A funky bhangra beat celebrating young peoples activism tree planting and asks world leaders to do more and for us all to think about our carbon footprint.
Inspired by young peoples activism around climate change  and these words by writer Martha Postlethwaite
“Do not try to save the whole world or do anything grandiose. Instead, create a clearing in the dense forest
of your life and wait there patiently, until the song
that is yours alone to sing falls into your open cupped hands and you recognize and greet it. Only then will you know how to give yourself to this world so worthy of rescue.” Check out the video and song here https://youtu.be/F9zvZIHdxzs

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks so much julia and Amber for a wonderful session this morning. Julias way of taking us through how are memories work and about the brain being made to keep us safe was really helpful . The continuing bonds suggestions through music playlists food and creative rituals were great . Amber has such a warmth and generosity and honesty in the stories she shares about her mum stepping into that vulnerability is so courageous. The talk really resonated with those attending and some great conversations happened on the chat with some real compassion kindness and lovely responses. Sadly due to time my question didnt get asked but i could tell from the chat others really resonated with it so im sharing it if its allowed. i wrote a piece and puppetry music video for a charity called the forgiveness project about making peace with my dad who suffered from alcoholism before he died you can view it here

https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/stories-library/charlie-ryder/  Forgiveness is giving up all hope of a better past and making peace with someone or something i cant control. What role do you think forgiveness can play in our memories?

# data[].attributes.body
My family

My Mum
My Nana
My Nephew

Thank you for lifting me up after the loss and sending me to continue the journey.
Finding calm and peace in each new day.

# data[].attributes.headline
Grief is a long journey best punctuated by festivals. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Grief is a long journey best punctuated by festivals. 

# data[].attributes.body
I am a funeral celebrant and studying for a PhD examining the role of other celebrants. I have experienced being both an observer of the grief of others through my work and of my own personal experiences of losing loved ones over lockdown - including a suicide and an accidental drowning.  The onset of close grief is like the loss of innocence, one can no longer deny the ever present face of death.  But at times death can be a welcome face when watching or experiencing great suffering. However, it is always the finality that brings the grief - and as we have seen with insightful speakers and brave viewers there is always a need to talk.  I am biased I suppose. I host a Death Cafe, am a death positive advocate and work and study death and the ways in which  we negotiate the first steps of bereavement through the funeral.  I would ask that as you process the wonderful community we have been part of, be brave and consider leaving some clear instructions for how you want your end of life to be and importantly the means of disposal of your body. It is so helpful to those left to deal with your loss. I meet many heartbroken families and a few apathetic ones too, but those without instructions suffer greatly when having to guess what you wanted. They ask me , a stranger to them, have we done the right thing?    Use the lessons we have learned here to ease the grief of those we will surely leave behind one day.  Resolve outstanding arguments (if you want to) tell people what they mean to you, live the life you want, or the one you have with passion and purpose.
I leave my thoughts with those in pain and wish you a safe onward journey where you can , like Raynor Winn, just put one foot in front of the other . May you find the solace and purpose of your own "Salt Path".

# data[].attributes.body
Hello there, thank you for providing this wonderful resource and information on grief. It is truly helpful and needed. I live in the States and missed a large part of the festival since the events were overnight here. Will there be a replay? When will the replays be available?
Thank you,

Natalie

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you so much for this. I lost my dad two weeks ago suddenly, no chance for goodbye, and can’t attend the funeral, I live far away. Having access to all this wisdom and authentic vulnerability means everything right now. It really is a lifeline. If you do more in the future I would love to see a panel discussion around complex grief, losing a parent you weren’t able to be close to due to abuse/trauma.
Sending love and solidarity to all here.

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks for the two inspirational speakers I heard (Raynor Winn and Ruby Wax) and also for the interviewers Colin Midson and Julia Samuels. Also for the Death Cafe, my first but hopefully not my last.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Good Grief Fests have been deeply inspiring, informative, and nourishing, especially in helping me navigate the sudden loss of my brother Michael during this past year, but also tapping into the growing sorrow of the earth and her human and non-human beings in our walled world.   The shared wisdom has evolved into a monthly gathering where we come together and learn to soften and allow our stories to weave and unfold into the world and beyond.  With gratitude to all, thank you. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The Good Grief Fests have been deeply inspiring, informative, and nourishing, especially in helping me navigate the sudden loss of my brother Michael during this past year, but also tapping into the growing sorrow of the earth and her human and non-human beings in our walled world.   The shared wisdom has evolved into a monthly gathering where we come together and learn to soften and allow our stories to weave and unfold into the world and beyond.  With gratitude to all, thank you. 

# data[].attributes.headline
A couple of series I have enjoyed watching that deal with death, dying and grief in a funny, raw and refreshingly honest way:                  The Last Word (a Swedish series), and After Life (with Ricky Gervais)                                            (Both on Netflix, but other platforms may be available.. ;-) ) .              Thanks for everyone's heart warming contribution to the festival! 

# data[].attributes.subject
A couple of series I have enjoyed watching that deal with death, dying and grief in a funny, raw and refreshingly honest way:                  The Last Word (a Swedish series), and After Life (with Ricky Gervais)                                            (Both on Netflix, but other platforms may be available.. ;-) ) .              Thanks for everyone's heart warming contribution to the festival! 

# data[].attributes.headline
Dead Positive - A Play about death positivity. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Dead Positive - A Play about death positivity. 

# data[].attributes.body
I wanted to attend the Good Grief Festival as I am currently producing a play in London in March 2022 called 'Dead Positive' by Hannah Kennedy that was inspired by the death positivity movement and tells the story of two sisters running a funeral home that they've inherited from their Dad. I wanted to learn more about death positivity at the festival and open up the conversation around death which is the aim of the piece. The whole festival has been great for me to have these necessary conversations and meet amazing speakers, companies and organisations that we'd love to keep in touch and partner with the production. Thanks to everyone whose spoken so eloquently throughout the festival and I look forward to carrying on the conversations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dead Positive

COMING IN MARCH 2022

​

Written by Hannah Kennedy

Directed by Chloe Cattin

Dead Positive is inspired by the death positivity movement which encourages people to have open conversations about everything surrounding death from embalming to wills. The play tells the story of three women who work as death professionals: a 43 year old funeral director, a 30 year old embalmer and a 23 year old ex-crematorium engineer who has decided to pursue a new career in body preparations. The three of them face hurdles they must navigate when approaching and dealing with their own mortality and how their work affects their personal lives.

This project is looking for partners and investors. For more information, get in touch

​

We're co-producing 'Little Boxes' with AlphaMum Productions and bringing this one woman show to 53Two in Manchester.

​

Little Boxes follows Joann Condon (Little Britain, Dad's Army the Lost Episodes), as she explores the boxes she has "found herself in" throughout her life: The hopes and dreams of a child, the frustrations of an acting career, the tensions of being a parent, the grief in losing loved ones, the fear of being...herself.

​

Described as "funny, touching and at times heartbreaking," by London Pub Theatres, Joann uses personal anecdotes to highlight assumptions and judgements made about her based-on looks, age, gender and background. This phenomenon of classifying people is called 'social categorization' by psychologists, and most of us can relate to these experiences.

After a successful run at VAULT Festival 2020, with sell out shows, multiple 4- and 5- star reviews and an "Offie" Short Run Commendation, Little Boxes is coming to Manchester.

Starring: Joann Condon

Written by: Joann Condon and Leonie Rachel

Directed by: Daniel Brennan

Produced by: Alphamum Productions and Lights Down Productions

11th to 20th November (excluding 13th to 15th)

Tickets: £12, £10 (conc)

Get them here

​

To make the perform ance more accessible we will be having a BSL interpreted performance on Wednesday 17th November at 7:30pm and we also have 2 tickets at £2 for each performance for unemployed or low income audience members.

​

​

​

​

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dead Positive COMING IN MARCH 2022 ​ Written by Hannah Kennedy Directed by Chloe Cattin Dead Positive is inspired by the death positivity movement which encourages people to have open conversations about everything surrounding death from embalming to wills.

# data[].attributes.body
I lost my mum Barbara Wheeler in early June 2021. She went into hospital after a short illness, it was all very sudden and a shock. Four weeks prior I was putting in place a support network around her with my partner at home and then she was rushed away from me. Restrictions around hospital visits were in place so I only got to see my mum as she was close to death. Being allowed to say goodbye I hold dear, although my mum by this stage was now delirious, I like to think she knew I was with her. They say hearing stays with you to near the end. The hospital experience was hard to deal with, as with others through the pandemic I find this hard to process. The feeling of being distant from my mum at a time I should have been with her through those last days leaves me feeling guilty and as I have heard from others, my last view of mum as mum I knew was via a goodbye from the back of an ambulance.

The street where my mum lived is now being demolished. She would have been moving in December and I was at an early stage sorting the contents of mum and dads house out. My dad passed away in 2017 through complications after an operation. I am an only child and I was looking forward to sorting all my parents photos out and kept letters and talking about with mum. Finding the stories behind those things she shared in life with dad, people met on the way I feel as another loss.

I carried on sorting my parents personnel belongings out and boxing the contents as I had to clear the house quick. The street was be levelled as said.

Seeing the street now being demolished is heartbreaking to witness. My mum and dads house where they lived for 50 years and where I grew up is still standing as of late October 2021 but phase one of the demolition has begun.

I am lucky to have had such loving parents and a close family. A wonderful street to grow up on I also cherish.

A friend said to me shortly after the passing of my mum,  " good job your parents gave you an inner tube ".. I would say, sums up the Good Grief Festival also in providing, building on for those attending.

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you so much for selecting speakers who aren't colouring or spinning Thier view. The honesty really helps us find emotions. I watched the superhero session yesterday and the parent one right now. I help a friend through this. I need to get my head around grief before someone close to me passes away. Something so inevitable yet I can't fathom it. I don't have the language for it. And on of your younger speakers, who lost parent when she was a teen in the superhero session said something like 'no one tells you how to get through the grief, you don't stop grieving someone you loved, just learn to create your life around the grief' . Beautiful comment will stay with me. Please thank her.

# data[].attributes.body
A poem

Someone once told me that grief is the flipside of love.

You can yell at the rain for as long as you want -
I'll stand in the rain and yell with you
if it means that sometimes,
(just sometimes)
we might sometimes feel at home

The silence of the streets doesn’t mean you are alone in your grief

I am here for you, 爱

# data[].attributes.body
Such a wonderful day ! Inspirational speakers! A time to reflect and take some positivity from the support given.  It’s been 14 months since I lost my husband, best friend and support ! Today I learnt my son is expecting his first child bitter sweet as David would of been so proud. I do feel that today couldn’t of been a better day to hear the news after feeling stronger after listening to the wonderful Julia samuels! And others taking part in this fantastic festival

# data[].attributes.body
What a wonderful day this has been. I've ended up watching far more on the livestream than I'd intended to. Such generous speakers and guests on the chat too. It's very healing to connect with this collective of people opening themselves to their grief and their humanity. This week marked my mum's third month anniversary after we nursed her through cancer this summer. And it's three years since we lost my Dad. It's still very raw. But I feel lifted by the shared compassion on here. And I've been drawing on Good Grief resources all year to help me through. Bless you for the fantastic work you're doing. Siobhan, Leicester

# data[].attributes.body
These events are all so useful that it's impossible to pick one out. I particularly loved the mindfulness session today and the death café. I think it's hard to share openly with people closest to you sometimes and sharing with virtual strangers can be easier somehow and liberating. To speak about your loss and grief is essential I have found. Thank you so much for the festival

# data[].attributes.body
thanks for this SPACE!!!such a valuable needed breathing space ....!

# data[].attributes.body
If anyone only has time for a few of these talks, and its worth listening to whatever resonates with you, Julia's talks are filled with wisdom, understanding and support, for all affected by bereavement. I hope everyone finds something through this festival that helps to support them

# data[].attributes.body
I Amos grateful to have the opportunity for this weekend !!!!
I have shared this conference with my students I teach bereavement and loss
Gratitude to the speakers !!!🙏🙏🙏

# data[].attributes.body
I havent received an email with the link for the weekends events, so was wondering how to chase that up .. please ...

# data[].attributes.headline
Looking forward to this weekend’s conference! 💖

# data[].attributes.subject
Looking forward to this weekend’s conference! 💖

# data[].attributes.body
I’m looking over the schedule again now, and am so impressed by the breadth and range of topics and presenters. From authors to academics to artists to individuals, I appreciate the many different viewpoints being presented. I bring my background as an independent curator and in communications to The Grief Gallery, and I know I’m going to learn so much from people in other fields during this conference.

Looking forward to connecting!

# data[].attributes.body
I feel as though a huge chunk of me has been torn out.
I’ve had 3 other close family deaths but the loss of my daughter is totally different as she was my flesh and blood. Some friends don’t get it and compare her death to their family bereavements. I suppose they never will until, God forbid, it happens to them.

# data[].attributes.body
I’m so thankful that I cancelled other events this w/e. The guest speakers -
Michael Rosen and David Kessler, have given much wise insight, into dealing with grief.
At times I felt  as they were talking straight into my situation. God bless them for sharing their own personal grief,

# data[].attributes.headline
David Kessler session, always followed David, got his book finding meaning Sixth, before first lockdown, very helpful, could talk to him all day. Thank you  all  to the community of Grief festival , keep  up  the great much needed support network.

# data[].attributes.subject
David Kessler session, always followed David, got his book finding meaning Sixth, before first lockdown, very helpful, could talk to him all day. Thank you  all  to the community of Grief festival , keep  up  the great much needed support network.

# data[].attributes.body
I decided to have myself a little ‘grief retreat’ this weekend so that I could engage with a variety of your discussions. Oh my. Thank you for being a space for me to feel seen, heard & validated! I have felt more connected to others in the past 2 days than I have since my Dad died last year. My highlights- Harry Potter, yoga, guilt, finding meaning, finding your tribe & the comedy roulette. Diolch yn fawr x

# data[].attributes.body
I found this session very moving and enlightening As a nurse caring for patients at the end of their life I found what Michael said so informative and enlightening What a wonderful festival this is and I recommend anyone to watch as many of the sessions possible 🙏🏻❤️

# data[].attributes.headline
Dear all, please don't forget to complete our very short feedback survey when you've finished attending the festival - we really appreciate it, and it will help us carry on Good Grief. Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WRZW7RQ

# data[].attributes.subject
Dear all, please don't forget to complete our very short feedback survey when you've finished attending the festival - we really appreciate it, and it will help us carry on Good Grief. Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WRZW7RQ

# data[].attributes.body
Wow. Just wow. What an incredible woman. So caring and compassionate, and so dedicated to give her patients the best life she can, but the work she does around speaking the truth and being heard. What a wonderful lady. Thank you Rachel, and Lucy for being such a wonderful listener and facilitator x

# data[].attributes.body
..was my favourite so far, but I've enjoyed dipping in and out of the various sessions. It's all brought my emotions back up, but that's good I think. Thank you for the festival. Online is great, as I would never have attended in person

# data[].attributes.body
I was wondering how many people are here because they're supporting someone close to them who is grieving? Although I have done my very best to learn about grief and support best I can, I have personally found it extremely challenging to support the person I love through their grief, and I've struggled to find support or community around this kind of experience.  I'm a little nervous posting this question because I really don't mean to detract from the lived reality of those actually suffering with grief.

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you so much for your honesty . So lovely to see your truthful, real, lived  responses to this conversation. I keep feeling a year on as if I'm not allowed to still be grieving for my dad and others don't want to speak to me about it. Everything you said made so much sense -  I can't thank you enough. I look forward to snuggling up with your audio book - your care and humanity is such a gift.

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you to James Sills for his singing session bright and early on Saturday. I found it really uplifting!

# data[].attributes.headline
Please feel free to write a message, upload a picture or create a drawing! To add a post, click the pink + sign bottom right. Then click on the three dots that appear when you start typing for options. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Please feel free to write a message, upload a picture or create a drawing! To add a post, click the pink + sign bottom right. Then click on the three dots that appear when you start typing for options. 

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you so much for this wonderful event, but thank you for making it free. It's made it so accessible for so many, I really hope it continues online as well once Covid is over, online makes it open to the world, and that's wonderful.

Thank you SO much c

# data[].attributes.headline
Thank you for Julia Samuel's talk on grieving sudden deaths. I have created a mutual support Facebook group to continue the conversation. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Thank you for Julia Samuel's talk on grieving sudden deaths. I have created a mutual support Facebook group to continue the conversation. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Grieving Sudden Deaths has 10 members. A mutual support group for people who have experienced the shock and trauma of sudden deaths and the complicated, or delayed grieving that can follow

# data[].attributes.body
This was excellent I certainly be using some of these tools your stories are so inspiring

# data[].attributes.body
Family-led funeral, natural woodland burial, choosing a crab apple tree to mark my mum's grave, and how I channel my experience into something with meaning and purpose through my creative projects  : www.samiart.co.uk/post/hey-mamma

# data[].attributes.body
Spent some time yesterday engaging with some of Lesel Dawson's interviews - with Victoria Tolchard, Natasha Sackey and Liz Gleeson.
As an art therapist I enjoyed the interviews as articulation of the nature of the work I do.
And as a bereaved person I appreciated the inclusion of the therapist's own grief experience in the interviews. Seeing expressed how their personal experience informs and affects their practice.
Thank you for this important body of work around creative therapies in grief support. And importantly for the approach you've taken of grounding the work in the practitioners' lived experiences.

# data[].attributes.body
Comedy Roulette was unexpectedly funny about all losses during this pandemic.laughter is a great healer

# data[].attributes.headline
Session on digital legacy was excellent.

# data[].attributes.subject
Session on digital legacy was excellent.

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you! This festival is such a great resource. I’ve just listened to the excellent, supportive talk with Catherine Mayer and Anne Mayer Bird.

# data[].attributes.headline
Anne Mayer Bird talked really powerfully about her relief that her husband John had written down some of his wishes about the end of his life. If you would like more information and resources on this subject, please see the links below: 

# data[].attributes.subject
Anne Mayer Bird talked really powerfully about her relief that her husband John had written down some of his wishes about the end of his life. If you would like more information and resources on this subject, please see the links below: 

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.whatmattersconversations.org/
https://www.mywishes.co.uk/
https://compassionindying.org.uk/

# data[].attributes.body
I have learnt so very much from these sessions and from people who have posted questions to the experts too as I am going through the grieving process with someone who I absolutely loved so very much. The comments on the guilt of being happy for a moment helped so much this afternoon. My heart goes out to all  who are struggling and I feel we all need a some time  with Julia !! No pressure there 😀 but an enormous thank you for these talks they are so wonderful . 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

# data[].attributes.headline
Just listened into the Guilt monster.  Really helpful.  We can't control how others grieve but we can be helpful.

# data[].attributes.subject
Just listened into the Guilt monster.  Really helpful.  We can't control how others grieve but we can be helpful.

# data[].attributes.body
This session helped me see that a friend has herself in a guilt rut and now, I may be able to give her some suggestions as to getting out of the rut.

# data[].attributes.headline
I found Julia’s discussion very helpful indeed, thank you for the insight for a much needed grieving community.

# data[].attributes.subject
I found Julia’s discussion very helpful indeed, thank you for the insight for a much needed grieving community.

# data[].attributes.body
A great discussion about the circular paths of life and grief.

# data[].attributes.body
A beautiful discussion about the cycles of life and grief.

# data[].attributes.headline
Can I share a resource that I've found really helpful? It's a page I'm a member of, and the lady is widowed but talks so truthfully about her experiences, I don't feel alone or stupid when I read this, I feel as if I could have written the post myself. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Can I share a resource that I've found really helpful? It's a page I'm a member of, and the lady is widowed but talks so truthfully about her experiences, I don't feel alone or stupid when I read this, I feel as if I could have written the post myself. 

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.facebook.com/thereluctantwidow

# data[].attributes.body
Just finished catching up on Rachel Clarke Katherine Mannix session: so glad to hear their emphasis on the need for the medical profession to find a way of becoming more aware of BEING PRESENT to the  non-obvious relational and spiritual needs of people facing end of life issues.

# data[].attributes.body
Thoroughly enjoyed this session...I am buying the book! The description of 'Reshaping yourself around loss" sits very well with me.  So many elements to consider and ponder....very worthwhile and enriching 40 mins.  Thank you to all. Well done.

# data[].attributes.headline
Today would be my 11th wedding anniversary. I want to be at this festival to remember and feel gratitude of the wonderful life we had together. I've just the Sofa Singers session, and sat crying tears of happiness, so much shared grief and sadness, but so much love and support. Just wow. Thank you. Any typos, all mine, due to crying.... lol! xx

# data[].attributes.subject
Today would be my 11th wedding anniversary. I want to be at this festival to remember and feel gratitude of the wonderful life we had together. I've just the Sofa Singers session, and sat crying tears of happiness, so much shared grief and sadness, but so much love and support. Just wow. Thank you. Any typos, all mine, due to crying.... lol! xx

# data[].attributes.headline
Sofa singing - just did the Lean On Me session and sang my heart out for my Mum who died unexpectedly. It was like turning a pressure valve and I feel so calm now, thank you. Thinking of everyone who is learning to live with loss x

# data[].attributes.subject
Sofa singing - just did the Lean On Me session and sang my heart out for my Mum who died unexpectedly. It was like turning a pressure valve and I feel so calm now, thank you. Thinking of everyone who is learning to live with loss x

# data[].attributes.headline
Thank you Robert Neimeyer for a most wonderful opening talk to this weekend's festival. I last heard him many years ago, and that talk, like this one, will last with me . His way of speaking truly resonates with losses of my own, and with ways of helping others through their grief.

# data[].attributes.subject
Thank you Robert Neimeyer for a most wonderful opening talk to this weekend's festival. I last heard him many years ago, and that talk, like this one, will last with me . His way of speaking truly resonates with losses of my own, and with ways of helping others through their grief.

# data[].attributes.body
Fiona S

# data[].attributes.body
As an orphaned child I was introduced to death early, so the reality of the inevitable that we all must at some point die has not been a stranger to me. Only now, as a bereaved parent, have I finally, ironically, accepted fully the importance of death and the need to embrace it. Once over the initial shocks and paralysis that accompanied my early grieving, I am now able to listen to what Kai, my son, was saying without fear or judgment and being judged.
I have taken solace in art, photography, soil knowledge and preparing my own afterlife care for when that time comes.
Grief is sacred. It offers profound insight and holds a mirror to our mortality. Learning to be both 'of' life at the same as accepting I am also 'leaving' life (truly accepting my mortality) has and continues to be liberating and has given me meaning and reason to be happy - now, in this moment. I carry a bright torch that my mother and child handed me in the form of joy and love when they were here. It is my homage to them to keep that light burning bright.

# data[].attributes.body
The complications of grief are many, and although we share similarities in our grief it is also unique and exclusive. Your grief is not my grief and vice versa. I lost my mum nearly 12 months ago. We hadn’t spoken for almost 30 years. I have grieved the loss of my parents for almost all of my adult life, and then her death has left me with a grief that feels unresolvable, almost that ‘grief’ is my cross to bear. Mine is a complicated grief.

# data[].attributes.body
Grieving

# data[].attributes.headline
I was surprised by the depth of feelings that reading other people's stories opened up, and I hadn't realised how lonely this grief has been. It meant such a lot to be part of something.  My brother and his wife died, and my Dad is lost to dementia and I sometimes feel like I am lost too, but coming together gave me hope that we will learn how to live with these losses. Thankyou so much for making that day happen. Love to all. x

# data[].attributes.subject
I was surprised by the depth of feelings that reading other people's stories opened up, and I hadn't realised how lonely this grief has been. It meant such a lot to be part of something.  My brother and his wife died, and my Dad is lost to dementia and I sometimes feel like I am lost too, but coming together gave me hope that we will learn how to live with these losses. Thankyou so much for making that day happen. Love to all. x

# data[].attributes.headline
missing my mum sooo much part of me went with you love you always fly high beautiful 02-01-1948-28-06-2020 

# data[].attributes.subject
missing my mum sooo much part of me went with you love you always fly high beautiful 02-01-1948-28-06-2020 