In May, I participated in an Art & Death Café.

We painted rocks while sharing thoughts about life and death, honoring loved ones, and posing questions.

There was freedom in talking about death in such an open way. Making art next to each other, we had an easy connection.

Hard topics became pliable. New insights arose.

As we experience summer abundance, we often shove down grief and mourning. Put it off until later.

Yet summer can hold our feelings. It’s big and alive. A perfect place for working with death, especially as we shift into fall.

Grief is our internal experience. The rollercoaster of emotions that happen when a loved one dies.

Mourning is how we metabolize grief. Outward expressions of remembrance and connection.

These occur around death, yet they also appear with loss in general. Loss of a job, relationship, physical capability, creative endeavor, or community.

Reflect on your recent losses. Is there mourning you need to do?

The beautiful thing about mourning is it can take any form. It’s yours to shape and mold.

Mourning can be a ceremony or a new tradition; it can be a creative expression; it can be a hike in the woods.

Death and loss are powerful. They demand our attention.

It’s important to feel the feels (all of them!). They all belong.

And it’s important to metabolize these emotions, so you can take a few steps forward.

Make space for mourning. Let the natural world hold you.

Remember you’re surrounded by a world that understands grief. It’s expressed differently by everyone, but it’s a shared experience.

How do you want to remember, celebrate, create, cry, laugh, connect or dance?

There’s space for mourning. Trust in the abundance of this summer to fall transition.

And be gentle with your tender, brave heart.