The Loss Art

08/06/2026

Update on earlier post: this butterfly is free to fly!

07/31/2026

I’m grateful for this morning’s bounty from our gardens. I love being a farmer!

07/29/2026

This magnificent morning is brought to you by the Berry Moon and one perfect strawberry! Manifest a marvelous day for yourself and those you touch!

07/23/2026

A participant at my most recent workshop thought this video would resonate with me. She was right and I'm so grateful to her for bringing it to my attention.

I love music. I value wisdom. I respect courage, vulnerability and truth. You get all that and more in Eric Church's 2026 commencement speech at University of North Carolina.

There are so many lessons in this masterfully delivered speech that can enrich your life, and they can help reframe your grief experience, too.

On May 9, 2026 Eric delivered a moving commencement speech for the ...

07/16/2026

Enjoying my Birthday Road Trip to picturesque St. Jacob’s, Elora and Fergus with hubby and friends.

07/12/2026

A friend’s beloved rabbit died a few days ago. Kawi was a member of my friend’s family for years and now he’s grieving.

Someone said this to him: “I don’t know what you’re so upset about. It was just a rabbit. It’s not like it was a cat or a dog.”

I’m very sorry my friend heard these words. I’m sorry that person felt it was okay to say them.

The truth is when you lose something or someone you care about, grief is the natural response. Whether you’re grieving or you know someone who is, please choose compassion over judgment.

No one else has the right to tell you how you “should” feel. There’s no right or wrong way to feel. Each person’s grief and emotions are our own and they’re valid.

06/27/2026

The best comedy comes from an honest place. At least, I think so. Last night, hubby and I went with friends to see Eric Johnston, a comedian from Hamilton, Ontario. During his hilarious set, he spoke lovingly about his father who died when he was 13. Thirty-two years later, his father still holds a prominent place in his heart and in his comedy.

Comedy is an excellent illustration of the Both/And space. In this line of reasoning, two seemingly opposing things can be true or exist simultaneously. Many comics draw from personal tragedy for their jokes and stories.

Grief also lives in the Both/And space. We can be both sad and grateful. Both scared and hopeful. Both lonely and supported.

It's not only valid to have two, and more, emotions and thoughts at once, it's normal. Never feel that you have to apologize for feeling joy while you're grieving. Embrace it.

06/10/2026

After an action-packed 8 days in Portugal, Terra and I loved the slower pace of beautiful, peaceful Lagos. I still put in a lot of steps, including 204 vertical steps to get up close and personal with the Ponta da Piedade grotto.