Mariposa Living

08/05/2024

CALL THEM CLOSE

By not saying a passed one’s name,
you’re not protecting the grieving,
from a wave of sadness…

Those waves are higher-ruled,
like the moon and the tides.

By withholding a lost one’s name,
you’re not saving the grieving,
from a sadness they had forgotten.

They never forget that.

Saying a name,
does something far more powerful,
than create more pain.

I believe it calls them,
from where they are.

I believe, it brings them,
into that moment.

I believe,
it fills the air with an energy,
that’s so very much full of them.

I believe, my friends,
that it keeps them with us.

And if there is a legacy in this life
then surely it is simply this.

So be brave,
call them close.
I think they would like that.

I think they’d like that, very much indeed.

Donna Ashworth

From Growing Brave

Beautiful art by Tracie Grimwood

You may pre-order growing brave here 🌱 https://www.waterstones.com/win/growing-brave-prize-draw

06/29/2024

I sent you a little white feather
I placed it right there in your way
I wrapped it in love with a message
to let you know you’ll be okay

I drew you a colourful rainbow
It followed your car for a while
I made a spectacular rainbow
I hoped it would show me your smile

I flew down a beautiful robin
It landed right there on your ledge
I prayed he would give you the strength
to push yourself back from the edge

I try every day to remind you
that I never did go away
the feathers, the rainbows, the robins
are my way of trying to stay.

~ 'Feathers' by Donna Ashworth

From ‘LOSS’; poems to better weather the many waves of grief

~ Art by Gillian Rule

06/21/2024

Toxic positivity, even if well-intentioned, often dismisses one’s pain in grief. There is no silver lining in grief, and trying to find one will only further isolate your loved one. Instead, being present, listening, and showing up for them is far more meaningful than trying to find the “right” words to say.

In grief, actions are often stronger than words. Instead of trying to “fix” their pain or cheer them up, create a safe space for them to express their grief authentically.

06/12/2024

06/05/2024

05/01/2024

In grief, closure isn't the goal. You're not shutting the door on the love you shared with those who've passed. Instead, you're opening a new chapter, forging a different kind of connection with them.

Have others urged you to seek closure?

Share your experiences below, and let's explore how our relationships continue to evolve with those we've lost.

04/15/2024

Tender Hearts online grief group now has 25 different weekly groups on Mondays. On Wednesday and Thursday, you can speak with David directly. Fridays, we hear from a many people in grief on a new topic each week. You can be on camera and participate or off camera and just watch. Join us on as many sessions each week as you would like, just like grief there’s no right way to do Tender Hearts. We would love for you to join us if you are experiencing loss.

Here are the specific loss groups:

• Death of a Child 17 and under
• Death of a Child 18-26
• Death of a Child 27+
• Death of an Only Child/ All of Your Children
• Death of a Spouse/Partner/Fiancé 50 and under
• Death of a Spouse/Partner/Fiancé Spouse 51 - 60
• Death of a Spouse/Partner/Fiancé Spouse 61 - 70
• Death of a Spouse/Partner/Fiancé 71 and older
• Death of a Mother
• Death of a Father
• Death of a Sibling
• Miscarriage, Still Birth, Infant death
• Death by Su***de
• Fentanyl Poisoning
• Death by Addiction
• Death by Murder
• Death by Long Illness/ Cancer /Dementia
• Newly Bereaved
• Secondary Losses
• Multiple Losses
• Older Losses
• People of Color
• LGBTQ+
• Faith
• Afterlife

For more info visit TenderHeartsSupport.com
It is a very reasonable monthly fee and access is important to us, so no one is turned away for a lack of funds.

04/07/2024

Grief is always about death - whether the actual death of another person, the loss of a relationship or career, the loss of a trust in another, or even the loss of an opportunity or time. Grief can tangle us up, making it hard to see a path forward.

04/07/2024

Before you read, this is not a grammatical error… read it again ❤️☺️

YOUR PERFECT

If you are not broken,
bruised,
weathered
and worn,
where have you been my friend?

If your battered heart,
does not still break,
every day,
then perhaps you are not paying attention?

Don’t come out of this life
preserved and perfect my friend,
you're supposed to crumble
and rebuild a million times over,
until your soul is satisfied,
you have given your all.

Because that’s why you are here.

Your perfect is not needed,
but your broken is very important,

very important indeed.

Donna Ashworth
From ‘life’

UK: https://amzn.eu/d/9Y6E6kz
US: https://a.co/d/4EvMqqA

Art by Taynee Tinsley

04/03/2024

A clinical trial conducted by researchers at Stanford found a ketogenic diet may help people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.