Susan, your host, welcomes Shirley Thiessen to today’s episode. Shirley states that grief is our common human experience, and yet, we live in a death-denying, grief-avoidant society. Most people don’t know what is helpful to say or do in support of someone who is grieving, often, it feels awkward.

 

Shirley was one of those people who felt uncertain about how to express empathy to people suffering a devastating loss. Then abruptly, grief ambushed Shirley’s family.

 

Twelve days after her son’s wedding, Shirley was thrown into the unimaginable task of planning his funeral. Grief threatened to destroy her. Hope and resiliency gradually emerged with the caring support of courageous friends.

 

Inspired by the kindness of others, Shirley wrote, The Little Black Funeral Dress – Five Things I Wish I Had Known About Grief to pay it forward.

 

Shirley and her husband, founded a non-profit grief ministry, CornerBend. Shirley coaches with simple concepts to fuel connection, build trust, and lend hope by expressing empathy to the bereaved. No one should grieve alone.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Shirley shares her grief story which began in 2012.
• There is a fog about grief that slowly lifts as the weeks and the months go by.
• Shirley speaks about how at the beginning she was fixated on everything she lost, that she couldn’t see anything positive. Sadness clouded everything.
• Your feelings are inevitable but how you respond to them can become a choice.
• When grieving, you need those people who you can be totally vulnerable with.
• Shirley shares how she wants to help build “hope heroes”; people who can express empathy and can be by the side of a grieving friend.
• There is no timeline for grieving.
• Shirley shares tips about how to show up for someone who is grieving.
• Shirley speaks about the course she gives to form hope heroes.
• Message to grievers: You can recycle your pain for good purpose.

 

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

 

Meet Shirley Thiessen

Visit Shirley’s Website

Learn more about Corner Bend

Join Corner Bend on Facebook