In this discussion, Meg Walter, a staff writer for the Deseret News and co-host of Hive Mind, delves into her personal journey following the loss of her father. She reflects on how grief has reshaped her faith and the humor that remains intertwined with her experiences. Meg addresses the unique blend of sorrow and joy that can coexist, emphasizing the importance of community in navigating loss. She also explores Latter-day Saint culture's humor, revealing how it offers comfort and connection during difficult times.
Meg Walter's unexpected loss of her father deepened her connection to faith and community, illustrating how grief can foster spiritual growth.
Humor, stemming from keen observations of everyday life, serves as a powerful tool for connection and storytelling in Meg's writing.
Deep dives
The Connection Between Grief and Faith
Grief has a profound ability to connect individuals to one another and to a higher power. The host shares how the loss of a loved one creates deep emotional ties, as seen with Meg Walter after the unexpected passing of her father. Despite not knowing him personally, the grief felt by the host reflects how impactful writing can be, as it fosters a strong connection through shared experiences and emotions. This bond extends to the belief that grief can enhance one's spiritual connection, offering solace and understanding during troubling times.
The Role of Observation in Humor
Meg Walter attributes her sense of humor to her upbringing and the keen observational skills honed within her family. She believes that humor comes from the ability to notice and articulate amusing situations and interactions, a gift she has cultivated into her writing. The conversation highlights how laughter can stem from ordinary life experiences, which can resonate with readers and audiences alike. Meg also notes that humor becomes a tool for connection, allowing readers to relate to her storytelling.
Navigating the Challenges of Faith
Meg discusses her complicated relationship with faith, emphasizing the struggle many feel in reconciling personal beliefs with the realities of life. After the loss of her father, she experienced a spiritual reawakening, realizing how her skepticism and questions about faith were met with understanding and compassion by her community. This newfound openness allowed her to embrace her faith more fully, revealing the importance of expressing vulnerability. By sharing her journey, she recognizes the value of community support and the unique challenges that come with maintaining faith amid personal loss.
The Healing Power of Community
The conversation delves into the immense support Meg received from her community following her father's death, illustrating the power of collective love and empathy. Neighbors and church members alike provided unwavering support, displaying acts of kindness that helped fill the emotional void left by her loss. Meg's reflection on this community response highlights how impactful small gestures, like bringing meals or simply checking in, can be during times of grief. Through these experiences, she expresses a desire to extend the same love and support to others, recognizing that healing is often a shared journey.
In August 2024, Meg Walter, the writer of a humorous Deseret News column, unexpectedly lost her 62-year-old father to a heart attack. Suddenly, her columns, although still funny at times, took on a more somber tone. The humorous journalist was forced to work through something that faces each of us at some point: Grief. On this week’s episode, she shares how that grief helped her settle into her faith.
2:06- Observation and Humor 4:48- Latter-day Saint Culture 7:41- Being Open About Faith 12:50- The Loss of a Father 18:19- What Makes a Life Well-Lived? 23:10- Receiving Service 28:12- Two Things Can Be True 32:08- The Beauty of “The Ward” 38:21- The Value of Faith 42:24- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
“I need that hope that my faith offers me. I am getting much more comfortable with what I don’t know and what I hope. And I’m leaning more into what I hope.”