Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

markie

(22,923 posts)
Mon Feb 14, 2022, 07:36 PM Feb 2022

"Wild Grief"

when my husband died, I discovered the only way I could cope was to be in the woods... I am hiking the AT and call it my 'Grief Walk'

I recently discovered this program offered in Washington State (also offering virtual hikes)


https://wildgrief.org/

YOUR GRIEF IS WILD & WELCOME.
We believe in the healing power of both nature and peer support. At Wild Grief, we combine the two. We provide guided hikes at all levels, hour-long, day-long, and multi-day all focused on supporting each other while on our grief journeys. Grief is what we feel after the death of someone close in our lives and then the grief journey begins – we have to go through it and it is disorienting and often deeply painful.

Change of address

You didn't die, you just changed shape

Became invisible to the naked eye

Became this grief

It's sharpness more real

Than your presence was

Before you were separate to me entire to yourself

Now you are a part of me

You are inside my self

And I call you by your new name

'Grief.....Grief!'

Although I still call you 'Love'

-Donall Dempsey

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Wild Grief" (Original Post) markie Feb 2022 OP
Beautiful expression of the tragedy of deep loss. alittlelark Feb 2022 #1
I live on a farm with about 5 acres of woods Farmer-Rick Feb 2022 #2
Seems like no matter how I work in my garden, or haul, or dig, or pull... calimary Feb 2022 #5
many years ago markie Feb 2022 #9
Love is eternal. Jack-o-Lantern Feb 2022 #3
It will be two years in April. PuraVidaDreamin Feb 2022 #4
I spent the first month markie Feb 2022 #7
Love making salves and other goodies PuraVidaDreamin Feb 2022 #10
This is so wonderful and welcome. MontanaMama Feb 2022 #6
"grief hits most of us" markie Feb 2022 #8

alittlelark

(18,912 posts)
1. Beautiful expression of the tragedy of deep loss.
Mon Feb 14, 2022, 08:08 PM
Feb 2022

Acknowledging that u know it is but a temporary separation.

Farmer-Rick

(11,399 posts)
2. I live on a farm with about 5 acres of woods
Mon Feb 14, 2022, 08:11 PM
Feb 2022

And 9 acres in fields.

When I'm feeling the loss of my spouse really bad, I take a walk.

I once heard this young woman say that you should touch the earth, the ground, every day with nothing between you and the earth. No shoes, no floors, no concrete, nothing but direct contact with the planet for about 20 minutes a day. I do this by farming and gardening. In winter when I can't garden, it can get rough.

Gardening and walking in undeveloped land does make me feel better. Like I'm connected to something bigger than me. We evolved to suit this planet. We need to keep in touch with it.

calimary

(84,310 posts)
5. Seems like no matter how I work in my garden, or haul, or dig, or pull...
Mon Feb 14, 2022, 09:37 PM
Feb 2022

I always wind up feeling renewed and refreshed, not to mention - exercised!

Gardening is good therapy. I won't do it barefoot, but when you're down on hands 'n' knees, you've still got some pretty good contact with Mother Earth.

markie

(22,923 posts)
9. many years ago
Tue Feb 15, 2022, 07:24 AM
Feb 2022

I studied with the herbalist Dr. Christopher and he stressed the importance of contact with the Earth everyday

It will be 3 months tomorrow, and the first month I drank excessively to survive, the second month I planned my hike in order to fill my days and now I spend most of my days walking that path of white blazes that gives me a purpose... and then... I don't know? I have a few acres in Northern Vermont, but needed something bigger... I have gotten through Georgia, into North Carolina and will be entering the Smokies in the next day or so...

yes, we are better, healthier when we stay in touch



PuraVidaDreamin

(4,220 posts)
4. It will be two years in April.
Mon Feb 14, 2022, 08:39 PM
Feb 2022

For me it is mountain biking in the woods that helps me.
Or being on the edge of the ocean with my golden retriever Lula.

Two weeks before turning 60 I went to a jumping clinic.
I can now confidently launch myself off a rock or bump on
my badass Santa Cruz.

I still slip into moments of drinking too much
or not eating enough.

My canna co-op is nearly ready to launch and
wow has that been a trip and definitely helps to keep
me occupied.

markie

(22,923 posts)
7. I spent the first month
Tue Feb 15, 2022, 06:55 AM
Feb 2022

drinking excessively... it gave me the freedom to just scream or cry or do whatever I needed at the time. It sounds like you've got it right; finding those things that allow you to let go and release the emotions...

I grow both hemp and cannabis but only use it for infusions for salves and soaps... although I imagine a coop would be interesting

PuraVidaDreamin

(4,220 posts)
10. Love making salves and other goodies
Tue Feb 15, 2022, 11:24 PM
Feb 2022

Got a sweet gummy and chocolate recipe. In the cooperative we can cultivate, produce, manufacture, and soon we may be able to do delivery. Small batch craft cannabis products with flower that is , sun grown, living soil grown using regenerative practices.

MontanaMama

(24,018 posts)
6. This is so wonderful and welcome.
Mon Feb 14, 2022, 10:27 PM
Feb 2022

I haven’t lost a spouse….but grief hits most of us at one time or another. After my dog Tag died in August, I took to the trails that he and I explored together for 14 years. At first it was almost as painful as his actual loss…running the trails and creeks that he and I learned together…but after a while it was the only way I could feel close to him. I shed lots of tears on those hikes. It was the only way I could come home and function normally with my family. Those trails were healing to be sure.

markie

(22,923 posts)
8. "grief hits most of us"
Tue Feb 15, 2022, 07:05 AM
Feb 2022

yes, the pain is real when the loss is big, no matter who or the connection... I too have the freedom to cry and sometimes rail at the world while out on the trail, but mostly it provides me peace... a path I must follow so I don't get lost and then someday like you, hopefully be able to function normally

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Bereavement»"Wild Grief"