A day, and night, for grief, and gratitude

Mitch Miyagawa

Submitted Article

“Grief is the midwife of your capacity to be immensely grateful for being born.”

– Stephen Jenkinson

Grief is meant to be shared in community, and yet we have so few opportunities or spaces to do so. The Day of Grief and Gratitude is a series of events on Saturday, October 2nd, intended for Gabriolans to acknowledge and feel the losses and sorrows of the past 18 months and beyond – the deaths of beloved community members; separation from each other through imposed restrictions; and the ongoing cutting of forests, dispossession of Indigenous Peoples, and climate catastrophe. Grief can be overwhelming. And yet in the midst of it, we can find healing, solidarity, and gratitude for living in these times.

11am: online 2-hour grieving workshop with Linda Nicholls. A renowned teacher, Linda has facilitated grieving and healing retreats with the Haven for many years. Free, registration required.

PHC volunteers will also share resources and support for people who are grieving.

3pm: Coast Salish Healing Ceremony at the Haven, with gifted Elders Bill White, Rose and Willie Pierre of Snuneymuxw First Nation. Free, no registration.

4:30pm: Community fire at the Haven, along with self-directed reflection time / grieving ceremony, hot drinks, soup and snacks. Free, no registration.

7pm: Nights of Grief and Mystery Concert at the Haven, with renowned author Stephen Jenkinson. The show will be “part poetry, part lamentation, part book reading, part ribaldry, part concert, part lifting the mortal veil and learning the mysteries there.” Tickets are limited and available online, $22 + fees.

These events are the result of a unique community collaboration, led by the Haven, the Holistic Centres Network, People for a Healthy Community, SFU Land-Based Learning for Reconciliation, and Maji Events.  Both in-person events are outside and “bring your own chair”. All COVID restrictions will be followed. For more info and registration/ tickets, visit www.griefgratitude.ca.

Please join us, and be together in grief and gratitude.