The holiday season is undeniably challenging for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. At a time when we gather in celebration and tradition, when we are surrounded by proclamations of joy and togetherness, when the tendency to keep going and doing is more ramped up and than ever, how do we make space for our grief? How do we honor the longings and missings of our hearts instead of bypassing our sorrows ? And how do we invite our dear ones who are no longer with us to be part of the holiday season in meaningful ways while also caring for ourselves?

In this careshop, grief coach and death midwife Naila Francis invites you to press pause to consider what it is you truly need to navigate this time of year with more compassion for yourself and connection to your loved ones. In his song, “Come Healing,” Leonard Cohen wrote “The heart beneath is teaching to the broken heart above.”

Through journaling, meditation and ritual, we’ll listen to what our inner hearts have to say to our broken hearts, helping us to approach and integrate our losses from a more supportive and resourced place. We’ll also explore how to navigate the frenzied demands and traditions of the season more mindfully and how we can continue to nurture our bonds with our people.

You’re invited to bring an object belonging to or symbolizing your loved one to add to our community altar and a journal to write in.