Col olou ours s of of Gr Grief ief an and Hea d Healing: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Col olou ours s of of Gr Grief ief an and Hea d Healing: ling: A Worksho A Wo shop p fo for Chil ildr dren en an and Fa Fami mili lies es Exp xplori loring ng Lo Loss an ss and Hea d Healing ling Colours of Grief and Healing: Anna Maria Buhr, MSW A Workshop for Children and Their Circle of Ruth Eliason, MTA Support Marlessa Wesolowski, Artist in Residence Dorothy Schick, Spiritual Care

- A child’s experience

Lyrics and music by workshop participants, 2013 Sometimes it feels like I’ll be sad forever Mad like a volcano, ready to explode At times I feel lost, lonely and alone And tired, confused, don’t believe it’s true. And any time I miss you… I splash into a pool of love I dive into the waters of remembering I swim up to the sun, through the colours of my feelings I know that I can do it… you’re always with me.

When I feel like I want to be close to you I look up at the stars, and know that you are there I look for different shapes in the clouds I hold treasures close, books, clothes, black bears. And any time I miss you… I splash into a pool of love I dive into the waters of remembering I swim up to the sun, through the colours of my feelings I know that I can do it… you’re always with me.

I look at pictures with smiles, laughs and tears Watching favourite movies, helps me feel you’re near You’ll always be with me when we sit and talk with others Who remember you and love you, just like I do. And any time I miss you… I splash into a pool of love I dive into the waters of remembering I swim up to the sun, through the colours of my feelings I know that I can do it… you’re always with me.

What does it mean to be an Artist?

HOW TO BE AN ARTIST BELIEVE IN THE IMPOSSIBLE. FINGERPAINT. FIND WAYS TO GIVE LOVE AWAY. PLANT IMPOSSIBLE GARDENS. HAVE A TEA PARTY WITH A NEW FRIEND. PLAY. SING IN THE BATHTUB. LOOK FORWARD TO DREAMS. SPLASH IN PUDDLES. SWING AS HIGH AS YOU CAN ON A SWINGSET. LOOK FOR DRAGONFLIES AND BUTTERFLIES. BAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES AND SHARE THEM. GIVE HUGS. DO IT FOR LOVE. TAKE LOTS OF NAPS. LOOK FOR PICTURES IN THE CLOUDS. BELIEVE IN MAGIC. LAUGH A LOT. CELEBRATE EVERY GORGEOUS MOMENT. BUILD SANDCASTLES. DANCE IN THE RAIN. BELIEVE IN LOVE. IMAGINE YOURSELF MAGIC. GIGGLE WITH CHILDREN. LISTEN TO ELDERS. BELIEVE IN ANGELS. WISH ON A FALLING STAR. TALK TO ANIMALS. GET MESSY. SING A SONG. BLESS YOURSELF. BE BRAVE. ENTERTAIN YOUR INNER CHILD. BLOW BUBBLES. BUILD A FORT WITH BLANKETS. GET WET. HUG TREES. ALWAYS REMEMBER. WRITE LOVE LETTERS.  - INSPIRED BY AND ADAPTED FROM SARK ’ S HOW TO BE AN ARTIST

The creative arts through:

art  tear paper  collage  mandalas  memory boxes

• music making  singing  improvisation  drumming

the written and unwritten word  journaling  letter writing  poetry  storytelling

…If someday you’re lonely, Or if someday you’re sad, or you strike out at base ball, or think you’ve been bad… Just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair. That’s me, my sweet baby, my love is right there. -from Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You, by Nancy Tillman

A Palliative Care Services Initiative with the support of: St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation Urban A. Donlevy Excellence and Innovation Award W.A. Edwards Family Centre The Mendel Art Gallery Healing Arts Program Facilitators from : Social Work Department Healing Art Program Spiritual Care Department Alvin Buckwold Child Development Program