Week 1: Mother’s Day & Community
I chose the theme of “Mother’s Day & Community” because… well, it’s Mother’s Day weekend. And because community can be one of the most important outlets to help us manage our grief.
This content is all about finding, accessing, and leaning on community when we’re grieving.
A little tour of the content below
On this page, you’ll be able to access all of the content for Week 1 of Caregiving
This includes (in the order it’s categorized on this page):
~ Live events (links to join live & replays)
~ Downloadable content (ebooks, activity guides & more)
~ Mother loss resources (things to read, watch & listen to)
~ Mental health resources (here)
LIVE EVENTS
All live events are available to Caregiving 2021 attendees. Below each event image is information about the event and a zoom link to join day-of.
After events have happened, you’ll be able to watch replays uploaded to our site.
“Grief & the power of community” with Rachel Ricketts
Rachel Ricketts (author of Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy) and I will be in conversation for an intimate Mother's Day chat - discussing the power of finding community when we are grieving.
“Community healing & grief care”
Leaders joining to discuss community healing and grief care: Hope Edelman (author of Motherless Daughters), Dr. Carrie Kholi Murchison (VP of Social Impact and Strategy at Whole30), Sundari Malcolm (Director of BIPOC Wellbeing at The Dinner party), and Rachael Ward (public theologian and activist).
“Tell me about your mama”
Leaders joining us to tell us about the mamas that inspired their work: Ken Ross (son of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross), Allison Gilbert (journalist and author of Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive), Naomi Edmondson (End of Life Guide), Shelby Forsythia (podcast host and author of Your Grief, Your Way), Sundari Malcolm (Director of BIPOC Wellbeing at The Dinner Party), and The Dinner Party (nonprofit facilitating dinners for grieving 20- and 30-somethings)
“Breathwork for grief” with Emily Brennan
Breathwork is a potent tool for releasing stress, unlocking creativity, boosting the immune system, and finding peace. Emily Brennan (certified yoga teacher and breathwork facilitator) is back to offer another session of Breathwork for Yoga by Lion Rituals. This session is designed to guide attendees through a Mother's Day practice to care for our bodies by focusing on breath.
Supplies: Pillow or meditation cushion to sit on
SOLO ACTIVITY GUIDES
These guides were created to help you navigate grief online and offline.
Contributors have shared their rituals, practices, activities, and wisdom to support you through grief.
You can view these guides by clicking on the images and you can download them to print or for later use.
RESOURCES
Inspired by my newsletters, The Mourning Herald and PAUSE, this collection of resources were curated for you to read, watch, and listen to.
~ Read through articles or pick up books written by leaders in the grief space
~ Watch videos and films to help you feel less alone in your grief
~ Listen to podcasts created by leaders in the space who have interviewed special guests about their journey and advice
Week 1 Playlist: You belong
Curated by Eman Salem of IronSelf, this playlist was created for you to access from anywhere, anytime.
The songs included make up a dope playlist for when you need to be hugged and held by your people.
Things to read
Grief isn’t about ‘closure’ | by Arianna Huffington on Option B
We don't 'lose' our mothers – the reality is more violent than that | by David Ferguson on The Guardian
How I’m Making Mother’s Day My Bitch | by Kate Spencer
The Vaccine Wasn’t Ready in Time to Save Mom | by Erica Lyons
I Lost My Racial Identity When My Mother Died | by Anna Haines
Monica Wesolowska’s print-and-save | 7 Tips for Speaking with a Bereaved Mother
What It’s Like to Lose a Mother | by Cake
Ty Alexander | “Things I wish I knew before my mom died” book
Claire Bidwell Smith | Books
Hope Edelman | Books
Things to watch
Ty Alexander reading from her book “Things I wish I knew before my mom died” during Motherless Mother’s Day 2020 | Watch now
More soon!
Things to listen to
Podcast episodes about grief, community, and mother loss. Listen now or download for later.
Coming back by Shelby Forsythia: Shaping the Story of Grief with Diane Zinna | Listen
What Happened After: Claire Bidwell Smith – An Honest Look At Grief | Listen
The Grief Gang: Mother’s Day 2021 | Listen
Grief out Loud: Mother’s Day, a teen’s take | Listen
“Death, Sex & Money”: Rachel Ward — When Grief Looks Like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
“2 Dope Queens”: #49 Karaoke with Michelle Obama