Monday Morning Conversations with Nancy and Dan

Our Journey continues…We are currently in the 25th portal of Leah’s death. It began on November 3rd, the date of the accident, and continues through November 13th, the date of her funeral. How this anniversary reminded us of our humanness.How our grief journey makes us, reminds us, makes us more humanWhat being human means and how it has evolved as we’ve grieved.Check out Brandi Carlyle’s Song Being Human to complement this episode.

One of the things that isn't often discussed are all the effects of grief. We hear about depression and the effect of grief on our mental health however, there are also physical manifestations of grief. It certainly was not something I was aware of after Leah died. Losing a loved one is extremely stressful, and can take a toll in unexpected ways. According to the National Institutes of Health, grief can cause everything from bodily pain and a weakened immune system to stomach upset and fatigue,

Many of our aging parents grew up in an era in which people didn’t discuss their various ailments or personal struggles much — even with their own family members. As such, they were taught that suffering in silence was a virtue and that discussing their issues with their children showed too much vulnerability and might lead to disrespect. In reality, they’re likely desperate to talk to you about the things listed below, but either don’t know how to broach the subject or are terrified of what may happen if they do.

Topic: The Sweet Burden: Grief as a Teacher to Weave BelongingBio: From her youngest days, Kate Towle has been an advocate for racial equity. As a child, she worked alongside her father and his Black friend to build a vibrant interracial community center in Michigan City, Indiana. She has organized and delivered numerous talks and workshops to help people start a racial and ethnic healing process where they live, work, and learn, often co-leading sessions with colleagues of color.She lives in Minneapolis, MN, where racial tensions after the murder of George Floyd swept across the nation. She was the winner of the St. Paul Foundation’s Facing Race Idea Challenge in 2011 and wrote about her groundbreaking interracial work with high school students in Talking About Race: Alleviating the Fear (2013).With her friend Rose McGee, she engaged young leaders in building the organization Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, which wraps cross-community dialogue and healing around baking and delivering the pies that symbolize caring and connection in Black culture.Kate’s novel Sweet Burden of Crossing about interracial friendship has helped people of all ages speak candidly about their life experiences and biases in peer conversations, as discussed in a recent Democratic Visions interview. She helps communities see how sharing stories, service, and honoring each person’s gifts can heal longstanding divides. She co-leads the Weave Peace and Justice subcommunity

Being stuck in grief is an uncomfortable place to find yourself. When you have experienced a loss and can’t seem to find a path forward, you pause to consider your situation. Are you in grief?Getting unstuck from grief involves :Acknowledging your painPracticing self-care,Finding social support, and Taking purposeful action to process the lossHow do you find meaning again? This can include therapy for complex grief. Be gentle with yourself, understand that healing takes time, and explore activities like creative expression, exercise, and connecting with your loved one's memory to move forward.

This episode is about the how you can help someone by asking questions. You can do this to create a comfort zone that allows true communication. When you face the loss of someone or something important to you, you may tend to isolate. By simply asking a question you can make the experience of loss a little easier to handle.

Amy Weglarz, a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, shares her insights on the powerful connection between movement and grief recovery. She highlights how exercise acts as emotional medicine and discusses the importance of sustainable habits in coping with life's challenges. Amy also emphasizes the effects of grief on energy, sleep, and appetite, advocating for gentle movement and realistic goals. Her journey from trainer to holistic coach showcases the value of building resilience through endurance training and the impactful role of accountability in personal growth.

The conversation delves into the hidden ways grief can manifest in our lives, often disguised by behaviors like avoidance and distraction. It highlights how unresolved grief affects decision-making and performance at work. The duo explores the isolation and numbness that can both protect and hinder healing. They also discuss how grief challenges beliefs, prompting personal growth and creativity. Finally, they emphasize the importance of self-forgiveness and seeking support to navigate this complex journey.

Discover the power of boundaries during grief and how they help manage your energy. Learn how grief can make personal limits feel fragile and what practical strategies can support you. Nancy and Dan share insights on handling intrusive nighttime thoughts and the importance of silence for resilience. They explore grounding practices and mindful activities like nature walks and music that replenish emotional energy. Forgiveness and self-awareness are highlighted as essential to navigating loss while encouraging living fully, even in pain.

Jenn Closi’s husband, Phil died of COVID related complications while serving in Southern Nevada. Jenn describes her efforts to get her husband recognized for his sacrifice. She faced opposition to honoring his heroism. Her work with the Southern Nevada Concerns of Police Survivors is highlighted as she assists those who face similar recognition for the sacrifice of their spouses. Jenn’s story is moving and thought provoking when those who serve us pay the ultimate price to keep us safe.