Masks of grief

Oct 6, 2019 | Events

The following post was written and printed with permission from the Hummingbird Centre for Hope in Kitchener.

“Put on a brave face” 
It’s an expression we have all heard. 
It means don’t show others what you are really feeling. Pretend that everything is OK. 

Have you ever wanted to just peel away that mask? To be free to express the pain and the confusion that you carry.   To let others see what it is truly like to try and make your way in a world where everything you knew and loved has been turned upside down. To be able to do so in a way that you are not judged or criticized. To have the chance to just be understood and seen. 

A first it may seem like a frightening idea, but have you ever considered how freeing and empowering it could be not have to hide or pretend?  How comforting it could be to share with others on the same path and know that what you feel is to be expected? Or how healing it could be to connect with your children about your shared fears and sadness in a safe and supportive way? 

Grief event for widows bereaved with kids living at home.

We invite you and your children to join us in “Removing the Mask”.  Our program designed to bring families together to explore the emotions and impact of grief through sharing and creative expression.

The day will start with an introduction session where we will lay the foundation about what it means to grieve together as a family. We will provide an environment that encourages open and honest conversations about our experiences and helps to facilitate the development of a network of support with other grieving families. 

Then we will turn to creative expression to create depictions of what truly lies beneath these masks we wear. Through the use of artistic materials and explorations of symbolism we will create the “other side of the mask” so to speak.  The one that truly and authentically tells the story we want people to know and understand. How it makes us feel. How it changes us. How we need to an able to share and express the loss of someone we loved so very much.   

At a later date we want to come to together to capture these images, through a voluntary professional photo shoot, as real and tangible reminders of the hard work we have done. It’s an opportunity for us to be together and take pride in our accomplishments. To not feel like we have to hide behind a mask for the sake of others.  To remove the mask and tell all who will listen that we grieve and we love and we are not ashamed. We know that are going to be ok but we also know that we are not always ok and that is as it should be. Grief is the price of love it deserves to be expressed not suppressed. 

Saturday Oct 19th
1 – 4 pm
The Family Centre, 65 Hanson Ave, Kitchener, Ontario


Photo Shoot Date
Feb 1 & 2, 2020

REGISTER HERE THROUGH HUMMINGBIRD CENTRE FOR HOPE