B. McMasters, Grief Educator & Coach

06/02/2026

I came across this beautiful poem by Donna Ashworth, likening our grief as something to be celebrated.

GRIEF, THE CELEBRATION

Perhaps, grief is a celebration?
Hear me out.
What could possibly warrant festivity more than knowing you were loved in this lifetime.
To be wrapped up warm in such soul-deep certainty - the knowing - that whilst they had breath in their body you loved with abandon, as though it was the point of it all.
Whatever could there be, my friend, whatever could exist that requires celebrating more than the love you poured into the person you miss?
The bond so majestic, so joyful, so earth-shatteringly, life-changing, that of course, of course, it belongs on the calendar and painted on the stars to be worshipped, forevermore.
Pinned to the fabric of this universe for all time.
Held there, for infinity, and on, by the strongest glue there ever was - love.

05/27/2026

At the end of our 12-session support groups, we work on an art project together. You can take the teacher out of third grade, but you can’t take the third grade out of the teacher. I’ve always loved art projects.

This new one was inspired by the concept of the Lojong, a Buddhist practice of using short, pithy phrases to gently train and redirect the mind. I often use Lojongs by placing them where I’ll periodically see them throughout the day. Over time, they help me challenge old narratives, soften self-judgment, and look at struggles from a different perspective.

As part of our closing session, participants choose from some grief-themed affirmation and reflection cards to color and take home. My hope is that some of these phrases will continue to resonate long after the group ends, offering comfort, perspective, and permission to move forward while still honoring the people they love.

05/26/2026

Are you facing an impending loss and experiencing unexplained, often confusing emotions? This is called Anticipatory Grief and it is, by nature, naturally complicated. One of my grief educator peers shared their site, Kitchen Table Conversations. They offer monthly webinars and drop-in support groups for those experiencing Anticipatory Loss.

End of Life, Advance Directives, and After Death Care Planning, Grief Education and Support

05/25/2026

For many, Memorial Day weekend marks the first family gathering, cookout, trip, spring cleaning chores, or even a lazy weekend at home.

An empty camp chair, a familiar tradition, a favorite place, the boat waiting on its trailer, a set of golf clubs, or even a messy garage can remind us of who is missing.

If this weekend feels hard, be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up. Spend time alone if that feels right, or be with people who understand.

And if you experience moments of joy, that is okay, too. You can enjoy parts of the weekend while still missing someone deeply.

Both can be true.

05/20/2026

When a parent dies during childhood, the loss can shape a person’s life in ways that are not always obvious. It may show up years later during important life events, in close relationships, through physical responses, and in patterns of closeness, distance, and self-worth. This kind of grief can echo across decades, often without being traced back to where it began. David Kessler and Hope Edelman, author of Motherless Daughters, will explore this experience in a free one-hour talk.

But what happens when the loss occurs during childhood? When the person grieving doesn't yet have the emotional or developmental capacity to process what just occurred? When the adults around them don't know what to do... so they say nothing?

05/19/2026

Five trips to Colorado.
150 hours of direct instruction under Dr. Alan Wolfelt.
Countless moments of learning, reflection, and being challenged.

I’m proud to share that I’ve earned my Death & Grief Studies Certification from the Center For Loss & Life Transition.

This work matters deeply to me, and I don’t take lightly the responsibility of walking alongside people in grief. I’m grateful for the wisdom, care, and challenge Dr. Wolfelt brings to this field and for the chance to keep learning from him.

And because this certification isn’t the finish line, I’ll be back in that front row this December, probably tugging on Dr. Wolfelt’s shirt again, ready for the next class.

05/12/2026

Grateful to be back in Fort Collins, Colorado at the Center For Loss & Life Transition, studying under Dr. Alan Wolfelt.

This week’s training is focused on early grief-a time that is not only devastating but often disorienting. 

I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and deepening this work alongside others committed to compassionate grief support.

05/10/2026

I respect all nurses, but as a former Walla Walla Community Hospice employee, I hold a special place in my heart for hospice nurses.

Hospice nurses walk into some of the most tender, painful, sacred moments a family and loved ones will ever experience. They bring skill, calm, compassion, honesty, and presence into rooms where people are often afraid, exhausted, and heartbroken. They care not only for the person who is dying, but also for the family members and loved ones who are trying to understand how to say goodbye.

I have seen hospice nurses offer comfort with their hands, their words, their knowledge, and sometimes simply with their steady presence. They help make the unbearable feel just a little less frightening.

This week, and every week of the year, I honor hospice nurses and all nurses who give so much of themselves in service to others. What exceptional human beings they are.

05/07/2026

Some days in grief, being a semi-functioning human is the accomplishment.

You forget things. You’re exhausted. You stare at simple tasks like they’re mountains. Sometimes all you can do is get out of bed, answer one text, wash one dish, or make it through the day without falling apart.

That still counts.

Grief changes your capacity, not your worth.

So if you did one small thing today, give yourself a gold star. Be gentle with yourself. Be proud of yourself. You are surviving something heavy, and that matters.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor claim to own this song. All credit goes to dodie and Carrie. This video is purely for educational/entertainment purposes only.Le...

05/06/2026

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to recognize the incredible, resilient, and impactful people who help shape the next generation.

I once taught elementary school. It was the hardest job I have ever had. At the time, I did not have the capacity for that work. It broke my heart every day. I worked in under-resourced school districts, and through my own lens as someone who experienced neglect, I could see the realities many students were returning to at home. Loneliness, hunger, and fear were only part of the story. There was often exposure to drugs, abuse, and violence.

Today, I still see myself as an educator, though my work is now in grief and end-of-life care. I strangely have the capacity for this work and find a sense of hope that I could not see before.

To the teachers who show up every day and are able to hold onto that hope, thank you. Your work matters more than most people will ever fully understand.