The Heart's Journey: Writing Through Grief
I am about to embark on a meaningful new journey! As a Legacy Life Story Coach for the past two years, I have had the sacred honor of helping others write and share their life stories. Four of my five book projects have been dedicated to gathering the stories of dear friends nearing the end of life. Each of them passed away within a month of receiving their completed legacy books- holding in their hands the stories they wished to pass on to loved ones.
Through this work, I have witnessed storytelling's profound healing power. The act of sharing our stories can ease pain, bring clarity, and foster connection. Research supports this as well. In The Healing Power of Storytelling: Using Personal Narrative to Navigate Illness, Trauma, and Loss (2022), Dr. Annie Brewster explores how storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing. Similarly, Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, in Healing the Mind through the Power of Story (2010), emphasizes how narrative can help us process trauma and loss.
One experience that deeply moved me was a dear friend suffering from ALS. While recording her life stories for her book, she told me, "You know, Cheryl, when I am sitting here telling you my stories, my pain and sadness go away."
Grief is a difficult and often isolating journey. But through storytelling- by writing about a loved one who has passed- we can find moments of joy, connection, and healing. This belief has led me to redesign my life story writing workshop into a special 6-week program: The Heart's Journey: Writing Through Grief.
About the workshop:
This workshop is designed to guide participants in writing about their loved ones in a supportive and nurturing space. Through weekly themes, we will bring forward memories, reflect on our relationships, and share our stories in a small, intimate group of six participants.
Here's what to expect:
- Small supportive group (only six participants)
- Weekly 2-hour Zoom session: beginning Tuesday, 6:00 to 8:00 pm CST
- Creative and memory-stimulating activities
- Story-sharing for healing and connection
- No writing experience needed: you can handwrite in a journal or on a computer.
- Minimal cost: just $15 for the workbook, which I will mail to you
- The first hour of each session will be dedicated to discussion and creative exercises to spark memories. The second hour will be spent sharing stories- this is where true healing happens.
Join me on this journey.
If you have lost someone you love, whether recently or years ago-and are navigating grief, I invite you to join this workshop. The power of storytelling can help you honor your loved one and find solace in shared memories.
Start date: March 18th
To register: Email me to reserve our spot. Registration will close once we reach six participants.
Storytelling fosters connection. Connection brings healing. Let's walk this journey together.