I was a co-facilitator of a men’s grief group for an organization called Eric’s House and I highly recommend them. It’s a closed group that’s limited to 8 participants and they meet on zoom every Tuesday for 9 weeks from 6:00-7:30pm MST. If you are interested in signing up for their next group please visit erics house dot org.

Here is more information from the group founder, Greg Eckerman.

Loss of a loved one is devastating. It can drive us into isolation. Loss to addiction, suicide or sudden trauma only increases the complexity of grief—adding layers of guilt, anger, or shame. The masculine griever faces tough challenges. A man’s grief defies all the cultural norms we subject ourselves to: don’t cry, man up, move on…but it’s not the easy way. We must first acknowledge that, while it’s possible that we could get through great loss on our own, it’s difficult to do it alone. The odds of success go way up with good support. Whether you’ve lost a child, sibling, parent or close friend, Eric’s House Men’s groups create a safe space where you can risk sharing what hurts the most in the presence of other men who have their own deep, personal experiences of loss—who will not judge you, presume to “fix” you, invade you or abandon you.

I am so excited to have poems published in “Voices of the Grieving Heart” (Collected by Mike Bernhardt). It contains the most difficult poem that I have ever written and depicts the source of my PTSD and initial trauma when finding my son. It’s called “Etched in my Brain (See link under adult poems). I also have a poem that discusses my fears since losing Kenny (See link under teen poems). Although very sad, I hope they serve in helping grievers realize that they are not alone in their struggles. I wrote them both with significant tears and a nod towards the sky.

PRAISE FOR VOICES OF THE GRIEVING HEART
“Voices of the Grieving Heart, carefully curated by Mike Bernhardt, is a profoundly compassionate friend of a book – listening, gently responding, sharing the heavy load of sorrow, letting anyone of any age living through any sorrow know, they are not alone.”

Naomi Shihab Nye

Young People’s Poet Laureate, Poetry Foundation“In an age where grief is made more complex by pandemic isolation, Voices of the Grieving Heart embraces readers within a healing community, where one hears their own voice emerging from the words of others.”

Joe DeSantis, Chaplain
Samaritan Life-Enhancing Care
“Each poem is a perfect mirror, an encouragement to heal. This is the poetry of our joy and exhaustion, living and dying with the consequences of love. This is our voice when our heart is broken.” (1st edition)

Stephen Levine
Author of Who Dies?

“This beautiful book speaks directly to the heart with moving and powerful poetry from people who generously share their journeys of love, loss, healing, and hope. If you are grieving the loss of someone you love, it will help to validate your experience and feelings. With a section devoted to grieving in the time of pandemic, and an invitation to experience the healing power of writing through your own grief, it is as personal as it is universal.”

Debbie Augenthaler, LMHC, NCC
Author of You Are Not Alone

A community of grievers supporting children, teens and adults.

It is our mission to empower those that grieve through poetry and purpose.

Current Services 

Poetry Programs-For years, I did an assembly program for K-6 students called “Heroes and Poets.” I am delighted to say that the same high standard for excellence and fun is now available in a slightly altered program for grievers and it’s appropriately called “Grievers and Poets.” Please contact me for available dates and costs.

Family Night Speaker-If you need a family night speaker centered on grief and healing, please contact me for available dates and costs.

Books

1. Original Grievers and Poets: When a Loved One Dies
2. Finding Meaning after Loss (Coming Soon)
3. Grievers and Poets for Teens (Coming Soon)
4. Other Kinds of Grief (Coming Soon)

Future Plans

I am currently a special education teacher and children’s poet from Phoenix, Arizona. I absolutely love my job and school! Looking ahead, I am eligible to retire from teaching in May of 2025. During the next few years I will continue to develop more programs, books and support for grievers as I pursue full certification as a life coach and grief companion. After teaching and that chapter of my life ends I will support grievers full time as my role evolves.

Pod Cast (Coming Soon)

Certified Grief Companion (Ongoing)

Lead the Men’s Group

Life Coach (Ongoing)

Blog content once a month

Early on in my grief journey I realized I needed support. This became even more important when I decided I wanted to live in such a way that honored my son. I received support from a wonderful organization called Eric’s House. The folks at Eric’s House really get it and I can’t say enough for their caring and results approach to grief.

I have tried and continue to explore different strategies and grief hacks to increase the quality of my life but the one constant for three years has been Eric’s House. I attend the general men’s grief group and was a co-facilitator of their online men’s support group via zoom and I highly recommend them.

They offer local (Phoenix, Arizona) support as well as online support to grievers in various parts of the United States. If you are grieving please search Erics House dot org or call 1-855-894-5658 for excellent support.

When it comes down to it there are many ways to grieve and the thing they all have in common is that grief sucks. It equals pain and yet it’s necessary and part of the process of finding meaning in significant loss.