Pasadena, Octavia, Grief + Joy: Memories from our event.

Thea and I knew this offering would move something in us. We just didn’t know how deep the river ran!

On the 4th of July at Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, we gathered in a circle of grief and joy, touched stories with strangers and kin, and used fabrics and small pieces of metal and wood to remember what we’ve lost, what we’re claiming, and what we’re still trying to name. It was tender. Messy. Gorgeous. Funny. Sad. Soul-sstirring.

We’ll share more soon—Thea’s out of the country for a bit, and we want to gather again once she returns. But for now, I want to leave you with two things:

A glimpse.
Here’s one moment from the event: me holding Thea in my eyes as she spoke to the truth and joy in the room.

And another, with both of us and Magdalena, Thea's hermana who helped midwife this gathering through her camera lens and her beautiful presence.

An invitation.
If this kind of grief and joy tending speaks to you, take the Joy + Grief Assessment over on BringingFlowers.org. It’s a short, intuitive reflection that’ll help you begin to notice how these two teachers are showing up in your body and your choices right now.

And…

The I Let It Die Grieftender’s Course, the very space Thea was walking through while holding thick, fresh grief of her own, is open for registration. This August is Grieftenders Month (you ain't know?), and if you’ve been circling the edge of this work with me, this is your sign to step in.
→ Read more about this round of the course here.

It’s not about “healing” your grief—it’s about getting close enough to listen to it, to learn its rhythm, and maybe even laugh or rage with it too.

Come on. Bring your beautiful, raggedy-feeling, sacred self.
Bring your grief.
Let's tend to it.

Special thanks to Nikki High, owner of Octavia's Bookshelf. That space is just as incredible as the folks who inspired it, Octavia Butler, and Nikki's Grandmother!