Dear Friends,
Today's newsletter is a little different, it includes a piece about grief triggers as well as the announcement for two new small groups, and of course my monthly journal prompts. Thank you for reading, it means so much to me.
Grief Triggers & the Evolution of Grief
An overriding theme in grief is how the outside world triggers it and how our perspective and lens change so profoundly from loss. A lot of my writing has been in response to something someone said. Words are so powerful. In Steve Leder’s book, More Beautiful than Before, he writes, “The ancients saw no difference between words and things… the Hebrew word for word and the word for thing is the same—davar. Words were considered no different than physical objects; to ancients words were as concrete and real as anything they could see or touch.”
Here is an excerpt from my essay, “Open House Night,” (click through for audio version of essay) where I navigate grief triggers while mothering my son, Desmond.
Writing through Grief & Loss Support Groups
This spring I'm opening up two types of grief writing groups; in addition to my Writing through Child Loss group, I'm also offering a Writing through Grief group which is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. More information on both below. Also, I'd be honored if you share this with anyone who may need it.
Writing through Child Loss Group
(Apr. 22 - May 27, 11am-12pm PDT)
A 6-week online writing support group, where I share the healing power of writing to help you navigate your grief, no matter where you are in your journey.
Small group, space is limited.
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Writing through Grief Group
(Apr. 22 - May 27, 1pm-2pm PDT)
A 6-week online writing support group for all kinds of grief, where I share the healing power of writing, no matter where you are in your journey.
Small group, space is limited.
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Journal Prompts
#1 Think of a question or comment someone said that triggered your grief. Was it an innocent question like, “Do they have any siblings? Or was it thoughtless and insensitive? Were they implying something else? What do you think they were really asking or suggesting? Write about how you responded to it. Did you wish you had responded differently? What would you have said? How did you emotionally respond to it?
#2 If your grief was a character, what or who would it be? Jot down some characteristics, needs, and/or mannerisms. Try to write a scene about it like I did in my poem. What would the setting be? What would your grief be doing? What would you be doing?
#3 Did your relationships change from a loss? Think of a significant one and write about how you engaged with them before the loss and then after. What was a typical conversation like before. How did it make you feel? What do you wish they could give you now?
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Warmly,
Chanel
