Heidi Dunstan is a certified grief educator and best-selling author. Her passion to help others, learn more about grief, and how to support others who are grieving came after losing her husband unexpectedly almost three years ago. Her experience with friends and loved ones saying the wrong thing or completely disappearing gave her first-hand knowledge that many people have never learned how to grieve which often leaves grievers to grieve in isolation.
Key Takeaways:
- Heidi shares her grieving story and how it led her to her current work.
- Susan shares the moment when her life was changed forever.
- Sometimes people just don't know how to deal with their own grief.
- Loss and grief cannot be compared.
- You don't need to know how somebody died, they are not coming back. You don't want to put people through that trauma again.
- Some people will just leave you when you need them the most and some others will hold space for you.
- People have no idea of what you are going through.
- It is not just death that you are dealing with but the disruption of your entire life.
- Heidi highlights the difference between being a single parent and being a solo parent.
- You still love the person you lost, and that is why time is not always on your side.
- Choosing the people to surround yourself with is critical when you are grieving.
- Some friends will just sit there, witness, let you feel, and grieve the way you can.
- If you don't know what to do for someone who is grieving, just ask, and offer only the things that you know you can deliver.
- Sharing stories not only brings memories back but for some people has healing power. Ask the person who is grieving how he or she feels about bringing memories of the lost loved one back.
- Heidi shares how to support someone who is grieving: love them where they are at.
- Heidi speaks about how to find comfort when you are grieving.
Resources
Tendrilsofgrief.com
Email Susan: susan@tendrilsofgrief.com
Meet Heidi Dunstan
Visit Heidi's website
Email Heidi at heidi@heididunstan.ca
Follow Heidi on Instagram and Facebook
