Grief Gathering

A Grief + Craft Gathering: A Day of the Dead Gathering

FREE virtual event · Thursday, October 29 · 7:00 PM EST/ 5:00 MST/ 1:00 PM Hawaii

In the tradition of Día de Los Muertos, an ofrenda is the altar families build for the people they've lost - photos, marigolds, candles, small treasures. It gives grief a physical, beautiful place to live. That's the spirit of this gathering.

October is also Dysautonomia Awareness Month. When you live with chronic illness - including dysautonomia conditions like POTS - you carry grief the world doesn't always see: the people you've loved and lost, and the life you thought you were going to live before illness rewrote the story.

This evening is a creative, gentle space to honor all of it. You choose what your heart needs:

A grief board or mood board from magazine clippings for the life you thought you were going to live - the one you didn't get to, and the one you're building now.
A collage of favorite photos of someone you've lost.
A letter to your former self, future self, or your body.
Drawing, painting, journaling, or simply being present with us.

Whatever you make becomes your ofrenda - a physical place for your grief to live, made by your own hands.

I created this gathering from my own experience. This past year I lost my dad while living with chronic illness, and I've been learning to hold both griefs. If you're grief feels messy, this space is for you.

No artistic skill needed. Cameras optional. Resting counts as participating. PJs welcome.

Hosted by Noelle Valadez - somatic coach, yoga teacher, and invisible illness advocate living with EDS, POTS, and MCAS.

First name

Last name

Email address

How did you hear about this event?

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

A friend or community member

Which of the following resonate with you? (Select all that apply)

I'm living with chronic illness

I'm grieving the loss of a loved one

I'm grieving the life I thought I'd have

I'm a caregiver for someone with chronic illness

I'm simply curious and drawn to this space

What creative activity are you most drawn to for this gathering? (Friendly reminder to bring your supplies to the call — I encourage you to use what you have at home!)

Grief board or mood board

Photo collage of someone I've lost

Writing a letter (to my former self, future self, or my body)

Drawing or painting

Simply being present — no activity planned

Other

(Optional) Just for fun!: I'm starting an informal podcast + blog series where I invite individuals with invisible illnesses to share their stories and resources. Would you be interested? If so, would you prefer an interview or blog?

I understand will bring whatever supplies I need to the call and I will receive the Zoom link via email after registering.

I understand that Noelle is not a therapist and this is not a group therapy session, but is a group of friends hanging out and making space for their grief in community.