Death, loss and grief are always hard, but perhaps never before as hard as during this pandemic year when usual grief supports like, services, hugging and being together are restricted and in a season that many insist is, ‘the happiest time of the year’.

After my husband died, I was so lonely. Whether I was with people or alone, I felt emptiness because he was not there to talk to, to catch my eye, to laugh with me – no matter who else was there, he was not. There was a cloud hanging over my every moment.  What I found helpful in those early days was putting one foot in front of the other. Not looking too far ahead because that seemed too empty and bleak. Friends, both those who knew Henry and those who didn’t, who walked and talked with me, had meals with me, laughed and cried with me. Members of this discussion forum community supported me so warmly, virtually.  Physical activity got me outside and helped clear my head and heart.   Saying his name has been so important for me. He did live and his life had great value.  

Nouce quoted in, Grief does not move in a straight line, "Grief hounds our waking moments and sleeping dreams, grabs us by the injured heart and casts us, shipwrecked, onto the treacherous shore.....”

The quote above ends with, “Yet great loss, in its dreadful disguise, is also a gift; the enabling unmasker, transforming our lives forever." --Elaine Pryce

Friends and family, memories and time keep us from being shipwrecked.  Lean on them and know you can lean on this discussion forum to talk about your grief and loss. 

Warmly,
Katherine

A great resource is the Alberta Health Services Grief Program.  They have a physicall office in Calgary. Type AHS grief support program into your search engine and it comes up on top.

 

When you enter you will see the main heading and below three grey bars.

 

Under support resources you will see a list, which includes mygrief.ca and virtualhospice.ca, were there is a lot of great information, videos etc.

 

Under support videos you will find a list of videos put together by AHS and the team at the Grief Support Program.

- Managing the Holidays may be of interest, with lots of tips.

- Grief and Loss during a Pandemic, I have not seen this myself.

- Also other videos that are loss specific.  I suggest you watch the one for loss of spouse (numerous times over the next year).  Your kids can watch for loss of a parent.  You might want to watch with them as it may help you all to learn and share together.

 

As we always say with grief support and the concepts and suggestions, Take What Works and Leave the Rest.

Best wishes and a virtual hug.
Mike 

 "  I wonder if you could comment on it, if you have a chance.  It is pretty general and I wonder if it is helpful or not, in as much as everyone grieves differently.