The story starts in December of 2020 when I receive my diploma as a Grief Counselor at Buro Nazorg in Zwolle. But it actually starts much earlier, of course.
Throughout all the years, with aging, job choices made, by marrying bridal couples, but especially as a ritual counselor at goodbye, I noticed that there was and is so much raw mourning among people . Still unfinished pieces, that call for attention and come back again and again.
People who literally got stuck, and physically could no longer do the things they always did, mentally stuck because some pieces of pain or grief keep coming up.
And there I sat with a lot of knowledge, (not to be saved) a listening ear with families and bridal couples. With a clear goal in mind (planning a wedding or a farewell) but often with the underlying question, HELP me or us.
And then so many years ago I actually wanted to follow a training as a grief counselor, but then I started as a ritual counselor when I left. I am still grateful for that, because I have been able to listen, hear and see a lot in recent years. Gained knowledge, and noticed that each story is unique, although there are so many common threads and issues in everyone's life. But above all that every person is unique within his own story and that is exactly what makes grief counseling such customization.