Grief dreams newsletter summer 2016

Grief Dreams Newsletter

Summer 2016

Come back. Even as a shadow, even as a dream. —Euripides

Thank you for your interest in the grief dreams newsletter! We have lots of exciting news to share!

Joshua Black has been promoting the topic of grief dreams through many means over the last year. He has continued to spread awareness in the community by doing multiple presentations in Ontario (Canada) and just had a couple in Nova Scotia (Canada). With every talk he is seeing people get something they were missing in their life. From wanting understanding about dreams to just wanting to be among others that want to talk about it.

What Joshua has told me is that seeing so many people from different races, culture, age, and careers embracing the topic is a wonderful feeling. It is a topic that is bringing people together in a world that tends to try and separate everyone.

If interested, upcoming and past talks can be found on www.griefdreams.ca

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Grief Dream Story Submitted by Don Fraser As recorded by Joshua Black

Don Fraser recounted a story of dreaming of

When he awoke from the dream he had

the deceased. In 1998, his mother (Mary) passed

a sense of complete relief and felt OK with

away from brain cancer in Ottawa. Before the loss

death as a natural part of life. He had the

of his mother he received notification that he would

feeling of being refreshed and relieved. He was

be starting a new job and would be leaving Ottawa,

able to move and start his new career with

heading for St. Catharines. He described how he

ease. Don stated that “the experience shocked

was stressed over the move and starting a new

me to my core” and “it is the most profound

career. He was set to start the job the following

experience in my entire life’. Don stated that at

week when his mother passed away. Don stated he

the time of the dream he did not have any

was a total mess before he had this dream. The

religious beliefs and did not believe in anything

dream he had was very short, maybe 15 seconds,

mystical. He believed in the scientific method

but it had a positive impact on his grief journey. It

above all else, and this dream experience has

occurred just 2 days after his mother passed away.

sat in his mind untouched by time, surrounded

In the dream he was at his family cottage in

by mystery. Don lost his father (Donald) 2

Gracefield, Quebec. He used to have wonderful

years ago, and didn’t get a dream after he

times there with his family. Don describes how he

passed. He stated he was closer to his father

started to walk with his mom (Mary) on a ridge at

than his mother. So why did he have this dream

his Aunts’ cottage. The imagery was shockingly

of his mother and not his father?

vivid and realistic. Don stated “It didn’t feel like a dream. It was like walking into a 3D movie.” There was a bright light surrounding him when him mother said, “I know it’s been a terrible time.

Things are going to be OK for you, your brother, and your father. I’m OK now. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.“ Don expresses that he was very calm and relaxed in the dream when she was saying this and he wasn’t crying.

Don Fraser

Grief dreams newsletter

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The Grief Dreams Podcast is up and running. It has been a fun learning curve for Joshua Black and Shawn Ram as

We want to hear from

they are now 3 episodes in. The podcast episodes are features on iTunes (search Grief Dreams Podcast in the iTunes store) and PodBean.com (search Grief Dreams Podcast).

The most recent episode featured a special guest, Jade Black. She used the opportunity to discuss her book, Quiet Mind, Open Heart and her journey with addiction and recovery. She also discussed the loss of her two beloved dogs (Senta and Cash) and a dream she had of a deceased saint. It was a fun and educational experience for both Jade and the Grief Dreams Podcast team!

you!

If you are interested in being a guest on our Grief Dreams Podcast or have your story featured in our newsletter, please forward us your story and what you’d like to share!

You can submit any inquiries to www.griefdreams@gmail.com

Editors: Jade Black, MA Joshua Black, MA A special thank you to Don Fraser for sharing his story.

Inquiries: griefdreams@grmail.com

Grief dreams newsletter

Summer 2016

Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Grief Dreams is on now on Instagram and Twitter (under the handle @griefdreams). Follow us for grief and bereavement related content intended to both raise awareness and inspire! We are excited to add this platform to our social media repertoire.

Please join us!

Also, if you are not already aware we have a group on Facebook titled Grief Dreams. We use the space to share stories of loss and inspire each other to move forward in healing.

All direct links can be found on www.griefdreams.ca.

In the Media Joshua Black was featured in two articles that focused on the topic of grief dreams. The articles were featured in Niagara This Week and Hamilton Mountain News. Additionally, he was interviewed on 610 CKTB – The Larry Fedoruk Show and 93.3 CMFU –MorningFile.

All the media articles and radio interview links can be found on www.griefdreams.ca.

Newsletter subscriptions are FREE. To subscribe visit our website www.griefdreams.ca

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Dreaming of Owl Joshua Black and Deborah Stapleford have finished their first book together called Dreaming of Owl. Dreaming of Owl is a story about two foxes and their grief journey after their friend Mr. Owl passes away. Orange Fox has a comforting dream of Mr. Owl, but Red Fox does not. The story follows Red Fox's journey learning that he doesn't need a dream of Mr. Owl. Details to purchase the book can be found on www.griefdreams.ca.

Joshua and Deborah have donated copies of the books to those attending the World Pet Loss Memorial Day and Camp Erin (a camp for grieving children). Please email them for sponsorship inquires.

Research Being Done at Brock University Joshua Black, in collaboration with Jessica Emberley-Ralph and Kathy Belicki, have just finish collecting data for two studies on grief dreams. The first study investigates what factors predict dreaming of a deceased spouse or romantic partner after loss. The second study investigates what factors predict dreaming of a deceased pet after loss. The data will be analyzed over the next few months and they look forward to sharing the findings with you.