RememberGrams

If you have placed an order or are considering placing one, please reach out to us via email (listed in photo). Thank you for your patience while we do much needed upgrades to the site!

Have you caught the Grief Trails Podcast lately? There have been some amazing conversations and stories being shared there- like this one with Desiree D Doucet. She is authentic and joyful despite the tough experiences she shares. ❤️

I was recently featured on the "Grief Trails" Podcast with Amanda of RememberGrams - I tell a bit about the journey after the loss of my parents and share some wisdom and how we found joy even in the midst of a difficult journey. You can find the episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-loss-shapes-the-grief-with-desiree-doucet/id1645596514?i=1000637642316

Incredibly grateful for having this piece, "The Plates" published in The Keepthings today. Writing memoir is always personal, but writing about my mom still brings her back to me all these years later. Her love follows me everywhere.

If you don't know about The Keepthings, you should definitely consider subscribing and sharing with others. You can read the weekly stories about the objects we keep after we lose someone dear. They are short but impactful. To read mine, follow the link below. (You can subscribe to get these stories each week for free too!) You can also follow them on Instagram where the stories are also posted each week in a lovely format perfect for that platform.

THE PLATES "On those Tuesday nights in ceramics class, she talked to me as a peer; it was the start of [our] mother-daughter friendship...."

Enjoyed this conversation with Lydia Gillman on her Stepping into Purpose Podcast! Watch the interview on Youtube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Turning Grief Into Purpose In this episode, I talk to Amanda Kernahan who is the perfect example of someone turning grief into purpose. Amanda shares her story of how life has unfolded...

Butterflies are a symbol of change and rebirth, experiences that are common during grief. We are happy to share Crossroads of Caring’s upcoming butterfly release. If you would like to purchase a butterfly, you can do so to honor your own journey or in memory of someone you love. If you are local to Rochester you can attend the event, or you can purchase a butterfly to be released for you. If you are purchasing in memory of a loved one please let me know and I will be sure I get a video for you of the release. 💖🦋❤️

This rings incredibly true for me and I thought it May for you as well. ❤️

REMINDER! GRIEF TRAINING TOMORROW! It's our monthly 3 CE grief workshop and this month's topic is Working With Ambiguous Grief and Non-Death Loss. Though these are continuing education sessions for grief and mental health professionals, we are big believers that everyone can benefit from the same grief education that professionals receive. So if you've yourself been grieving a family member with dementia, a substance use disorder, someone incarcerated or in foster care, or coping with any sort of non-death loss, you're welcome to register! If you can't join live a recording will be emailed out the day after the live event. REGISTER HERE: https://app.ce-go.com/working-with-ambiguous-grief-and-non-death-loss

Thinking of everyone who may find today difficult and heavy with grief.

If you have lost your father or a father figure, you are welcome to share their name and photo below along with something you remember about them (if you feel comfortable). We would love to honor their life with you.

Father's day can be difficult for many reasons. Those whose father's have passed away, those who are father's but have lost a child, those who are estranged from their fathers, those who have not had a father figure in their life, those whose father's are incarcerated; if you are hurting this weekend we are extending warm thoughts to you.

I’m hoping this isn’t behind a paywall, but I was able to read the whole article when I clicked on it. This is an incredibly moving piece about the digital artifacts we find after our loved ones die. 💖

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/05/02/business/digital-remembrances.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&fbclid=IwAR1tphoSvnZq0YOI0S_36NQTBRZkdfpVC8azUERoiv19FNBWToujhE1SbOk&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

The Digital Fragments We Leave Behind After Death The photos, texts, playlists and to-do lists that we find after loved ones die can offer poignant glimpses into their lives.

What an amazing thing to encourage people to walk in nature while processing their grief. ❤️❤️ There is a link in the article to search for what trails have a silent phone installed.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/silent-phone-in-ontario-forest-invites-grieving-trail-walkers-to-talk-to-lost-loved-ones-1.6818255?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR3u6RZDGd7nwapAhVR-KkgXQGC1xOW77oRoFBF1VY_Znamtea4_I2wJOrA&mibextid=l066kq

Silent phone in Ontario forest invites grieving trail walkers to talk to lost loved ones | CBC News A wind phone installed on a local conservation area trail invites visitors dealing with loss to pick up the receiver and speak to the loved ones they miss.

This page centers around grief, often in terms of losing a loved one. There are many other causes of grief, and one of those is the grief that comes with incarceration of a family member. This is an article I wrote about my personal experience with this system ❤️

The FBI Seized my Brother’s Journal After His Arrest. What Was Inside Tells a Much Bigger Story. Police used my brother’s journal as evidence in a bank robbery. It’s really evidence of a broken system.

Do you dream of your loved one who has passed away often? Are they vivid and clear or more of a passing essence that leaves you waking with the knowledge that they were there?

I had always believed that if someone I loved immensely was to die that I would dream of them constantly. We always hear "I will visit you in your dreams". When my mom first died, it made me angry that I wasn't having dreams of her. It took about a month before I had one extremely vivid dream that felt as real as my daily life, like she was actually sitting in my living room and talking to me.

I have never had that kind of dream of her again, and she has been dead for over thirteen years. But I do occasionally dream of her still. They are fuzzier, the details get lost in the space between dreaming and waking. Sometimes I can remember bits and pieces, sometimes I only remember that it was about her, that she was there.

I had one of these hazy Mom dreams last night. I knew as soon as I woke to the alarm that I had been dreaming of her... visiting with her perhaps. It was lost in the ether of my mind, but the essence of it remained.

I went about my day today with this vague memory of the dream, with thoughts of her floating somewhere in my subconscious. Then, I received some really exciting news today. News that had me giddy and at a loss for words.

I am at a loss for words just as I am at a loss for what exactly my dream of my mom was. It feels like perhaps I don't need the words or the details, I just feel happy that she felt close for this.

Tell me about your dreams of your loved ones, I would love to hear them!

Today we are starting something new called “Pay it Forward Fridays” Here’s how it works:

Every Friday we will post a new template. That template will be available for you to upload your own picture to and type up a message, we will create a personalized card and send it directly to your recipients mailbox ❤️ All for only $5.

We focus on grief support but these cards are for anyone for any reason. Let us help you brighten someone’s day. 💖 Reach out with any questions, link in the comments!

March is Women's History Month. A month to celebrate all of the amazing women in history who have broken down barriers and served as role models, but also for us to look close to us at the women who have forged our own way in life. Is there a woman you are remembering this month for the impact she had on you? Share about her in the comments.

This photo is a picture of my Mom, the woman I learned so much from, in her life and her death. She was opinionated, strong-willed, and hilarious. She loved fiercely and was made of creativity. She not only birthed me, but she created my vision for what a strong and beautiful woman is.

Available now 💖 Grief Support Boxes

We are so happy to now offer grief support boxes.

While nothing you send can take away the pain of someone’s grief, these are curated with items that have been found personally helpful and said to be helpful by multiple guests on our podcast.

The larger Grief Support Box contains:

A blank journal- writing out thoughts, memories, frustrations, and feelings can be therapeutic while someone is grieving. *color varies based on availability.

A box of Stress Relief Tea. Sometimes you just need to sit quietly with a warm drink and your thoughts.

A book and accompanying bookmark. Books were integral to my healing and I have slowly been collecting gently used titles that I personally found helpful. Titles will change based on availability but you have the option of choosing your tip 2-3 choices at checkout.

A small “emergency grief kit” with Advil (the headaches from crying are no joke), travel tissues, chocolate, and a packet of Emergen-C vitamin C.

And of course, a card. There are blank card designs to choose from included in the price, or you can add a few dollars for a personalized or custom designed card (strongly recommended). Each card will include a personal message from you. For the personalized and custom options, you can upload photos and tell us about the person to help with the design. We will send you design options before production.

The smaller box includes a mini journal, the emergency grief kit, and a CUSTOM card designed by us.

All of this with FREE SHIPPING in the US. Together we can help recognize grief and provide support to those we care about. ❤️💖 Link to shop in comments.

Listen today to our newest episode on the Grief Trails Podcast with Alanna Banks. She tells the story of losing her dad and going inward to find herself and what she really wants in life. ❤️ link in comments or find the podcast on any podcast platform. If you are a listener, what has been your favorite episode so far?

Coming soon 💖 Grief support boxes

Love. Connection. Supporting each other. Cheering each other on. These are the memories that will mean the most to you. Next time you want to show someone you care, instead of relying on a text or social media, consider sending an actual card in the mail.

We can help you make it extra special (and easy 😅)

Link for our custom cards in the comments. You tell us about the person and share a photo or two and we will give you several design options 💖

This episode is live today with John R. Worsley. He shares open and honestly about his love for his wife Amy, her struggles with alcohol addiction, and his deep grief after her death. ❤️

Tomorrow on the Grief Trails Podcast is the story of John and Amy. John joins us for a candid look at the complexities they faced together as a couple and what his grief has looked like after her death. You won't want to miss this authentic open discussion of love and grief.

Listen to Corinne’s story today on the Grief Trails Podcast 💝

Tomorrow on the Grief Trails Podcast is Corinne O'Flynn, she talks to us about the loss of her Mom and her daughter Rowan, and the ways she has become an ambassador for grief following their deaths. Corinne shared with me this special poem that she has memorized during the episode, I hope you love it as much as I do.

Have you ever met someone and felt immediately connected to them? That’s how it was with Natalie. I’m thrilled to share this episode today. We both lost our moms in our mid twenties and we talk about the long arc of grief and raising kids without our moms. We also get into the magical synchronicities we have witnessed over the years. Find the podcast wherever you get your podcasts or follow the link in the comments.

Every guest I have had on the podcast so far has been special in some way. I am so excited for people to get the chance to listen to tomorrow's episode with Natalie Serianni. We met on Instagram of all places, but our connection was genuine from the moment we spoke. One of my favorite topics we touched on was life's synchronicities that so often feel mysterious to us, leaving us to ponder and find meaning in.
Since the episode doesn't drop until tomorrow, I wanted to share this article with you that she wrote. She is a brilliant writer.

For anyone who has lost their mom and has journeyed into motherhood without her guidance, you will appreciate this read, and you won't want to miss our episode tomorrow!

After My Mom's Death, I Developed A Seemingly Innocent Habit. Then It Spiraled Out Of Control. "In my mind, it’s hard to know what to save, what to delete and what is gone forever. I hoard digital memories hoping they will safeguard me from future loss."

I still believe that our custom-designed cards are one of the greatest ways to express that you are thinking of someone. If it is in remembrance of someone, we can design the card around what you know of the person who passed away to make it that much more meaningful to them. If you have a photo or two, we can incorporate it into the card to give that personal touch. Best part is that you get to send something special and we do all of the work for you from design to production to shipping.

While we specialize in grief, we can make a custom card for ANY occasion. If you want to have a card made for your valentine with your favorite memories, we can do that. A birthday card with your favorite photo together. A graduation card using old school photos. Let us brainstorm and design the best card for you.

This is the perfect time to try out our custom cards, on sale for a limited time.

Today’s episode is with guest Cameron Munoz who walks us through experiencing profound grief as a teenager, and how that was different from another loss as an adult. We also talk about how getting a diagnosis for your children can bring some continued grief and how she has pivoted in life to create something really special with her family. ❤️

Episode 2 of the Grief Trails Podcast is out now! Our lovely guest Becca Webb Ingersollshares her years-long journey into motherhood through infertility and the other complex and unexpected challenges she has come to face along the way. Links to listen are in the comments.

Today I am reminded of the small things in life. The ways we touch each other’s lives in tiny but meaningful ways. I mentioned to someone recently that I am curious about meditation and this small book by Ram Dass appeared in the mail yesterday. I opened it to read the first chapter and stopped to linger on this page for an extra moment. It is sage advice. We talk about grief on this page a lot, but let’s remember to live in a way that we are not grieving lost potentials in our lives, grieving risks not taken, or moments not appreciated.

Today I took a risk and released my first podcast episode. It is a discomforting vulnerability to cast your voice in the world. A friend who I don’t talk to often enough reached out with the kindest words.

Sometimes the most impactful ways you will touch the lives of those around you are the smallest. A book, a text, a card. Sometimes the scariest risks are worth it, to know that you will look back one day and say that you took the chances, made the mistakes, climbed the mountains. ❤️

We all have stories that make us who we are today. Some of those stories make us smile with every recollection, and some make us ache with the outcome we already know. Stories of loss are all around us, and it is through sharing them that we can feel the universality of love and grief.

Join us for Episode 1 of the Grief Trails Podcast tomorrow, 1/4/23, anywhere you listen to podcasts. We will hear the story of Connor told by his mother Tisha Endsley. She shares openly about the heartbreak of his death and what moving forward has looked like for her. She touches on duality, our ability to feel multiple conflicting emotions simultaneously, and the permission we must give ourselves to allow them all. Tisha is the host of the podcast "Permission to Live", and her story might be the permission slip you need to walk forward in your life even as you are grieving.

“It remains forever connected energetically” ✨

The first time I heard about the concept of continuing bonds, I cried.

A had been dead for 4 weeks and as I lay on the beach in Ocean City, my son playing in the sand and my family tip toeing around me and my grief, I listened to a podcast about loss and continuing bonds.

Until that very moment, I always thought that what society tells us about grief is true.

👉🏻We have to get over it, let go, move on

🙅‍♀️Now I know that none of that has to be true if we don’t want it to be.

Now I know deep in my bones that A is forever a part of me.

For a long time after he left me, I wondered, “who am I without him”.

But now, I like to reflect about who I am BECAUSE of him.

I am who I am because he lived. And because he died.

So much about the way I choose to carry my life forward is influenced by his spirit and by the lessons he taught me in life and in death.

You too can choose to remain connected to your loved one in any way you find meaningful.

There’s comfort in that connection. For me and for most of my clients, that connection is a huge part of how we cope with the loss of our people.

That connection can also be the inspiration through which we get to rebuild a life that feels worth living ♥️

They aren’t gone ♥️ and we can never lose them again.

With love,
Marie

P.S. if you wish to explore these themes further & alongside others who are also experiencing partner loss, consider joining our year long membership in the new year

We will be a small group of widows & widowers exploring traumatic loss, trauma recovery, rebuilding life after widowhood & continuing bonds.

If the financial investment is a barrier for you, just DM me. This is one of the spaces where I can offer multiple sponsorships so don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to have you ❤️‍🩹

Link in my bio to join.
Empoweredthroughgrief.com/workshopseries