Unique Workshop.

On April 5th, my dear partner in our baby

loss program and I will be facilitating a

new workshop series that we're calling

"Dreams Interrupted." The audience will

be families who have been touched by the

loss of a precious baby during pregnancy

or any time after birth. I'm so excited for

this brand new series as we've become really

good at presenting events and unique offers

for support. Can't wait to deliver this event!

~ Chy

Prep Island.

Our kitchen island has had many uses since we

moved in to our little cottage. It's of course been

the spot where we create wonderful meals, the

spot where we set up our baking, where we read

the mail, where we eat at times, where we fold

laundry and every once in a while, it becomes the

best spot in the house to put together a workshop

or presentation. The size is just right to spread out

all the papers needed and put them in their order.

I never would have imagined this use for our island!

Update from Today.

My mom's hospital appointment went well but it was

so hard to hear her progression is moving quickly.

We have many decisions to make and I truly hope

we make all the right ones with her and for her.

My workshop was great. Small numbers but I was

warned it's often not a large crowd. But very well

received and we had a few laughs in between the

tough conversations around grief and loss. Thankful.

The Second Half.

The second half of my day will be spent teaching a

workshop to a group of youth who are involved in

an addictions and mental health program. I love to

teach and this population really tugs at my heart. I

hope they all show up and that they leave with a

better sense of what grief is and how to heal when

it impacts their lives. One of my former practicum

students is the lead on the project ~ I'm so proud

of his accomplishments since he was in my program.

Wonderful young man with a wealth of knowledge.

What's on tap for you today?

Any exciting plans to share?

Reunited.

I was recently asked to speak at a week long

workshop at the university for those who wish 

to explore or work with the bereavement

field. It was an honor to not just teach what I

know but to also be reunited with the two

creators of the program I manage. 

It was an honor because both of these

amazing individuals invested a lot in

putting this program "out there|. Then,

when they left to pursue post secondary

education and other opportunities, they

gifted the program to me. That was over

ten years ago. Since then, we've worked

hard to expand and redefine the concepts.

To present with both of them watching

was a thrill. Days like this are a dream!

Do you have a dream that has been achieved?

Do you ever have days like this day? 

Getting my "MoJo" back!!

I am a sensitive being. 

There, I said it out loud!

I was "born this way", in the words of Lady Gaga!

But I work on it all the time ....

Tonight was a wonderful example of why I shouldn't let those who nick pick at me win. I was recently told that perhaps I needed to find a new career, that without a Masters Degree, I'm worthless to the field I work in. I, having heard this before, fought back with my numbers, my credentials and my awards. 

And then I stopped. 

Because I realized that every time this happens, with the senseless belittling and the critical words, the sad and angry individuals who are spouting are the ones that seem to either be struggling or have no confidence in themselves. So they pick on me and at 5 feet small, I'm a fairly easy target. 

No longer will I heed these words! Tonight, I presented a creative workshop I designed for families who have lost a baby. The 1st night in a series of 4 and a raving success. I had a lovely Power Point, we did art, we conversed, we shared, we supported each other and we basked in the knowledge that in such an isolating journey, we never have to be alone. With classical music playing softly in the background, the tears flowed, the laughter reined and the pictures were cherished. We ended a whole hour later than we proposed and I'm sure, if we could have, the room would still be full of bereaved parents until midnight!

Were my naysayers in the room?

Nope, but they didn't need to be because clearly, I got my "MoJo" back!!

Can't wait for next week's session.