B. McMasters, Grief Educator & Coach

09/12/2025

Fall can bring grief forward. I wrote about why this season can feel heavier, what it may look like, and ideas that help. Explore ways to manage grief during the fall season. Learn to recognize signs and possibly find joy amidst sorrow.

Grief does not take a break, but it often takes a little summer vacation. The days are long and there is so much to do. Yard care. Gardening. Farmers markets. Home projects. Road trips. Baseball ga…

09/04/2025

Sometimes we find solace in humor and that’s exactly what Where’s the Grief? offers. Hosted by comedian Jordon Ferber, this weekly show opens up candid conversations about loss with creatives, comedians, and authors. The elicits real laughs, real tears, and real connection. If you (or someone you love) are navigating grief, this is a gentle, honest companion for the journey.

Mental Health Podcast · Where’s the Grief is a weekly podcast about loss and grief in everyday life that somehow manages to be consistently funny, surprisingly insightful and easily absorbed. It’s a show that isn’t afraid to…

08/30/2025

Today is National Grief Awareness Day. This day honors the lives we've lost, supports those who are grieving, and reminds us that grief wears many faces.

When I meet with a group, I often ask:
"Who here has lost someone they love?"
Almost every (if not every) hand goes up.

Then I ask,
"Who still gets sad about that person?"
Again, nearly every (if not every) hand is raised.

And finally,
"Who gets more sad when someone brings up that loved one?"
Almost no one (if not no one) raises their hand.

This is one of the many myths about grief. We often avoid talking about someone’s loss because we’re afraid of making them sad. But the truth is that they're already carrying that sadness. And most often, hearing their loved one’s name or a shared story brings warmth, connection, and even joy.

A friend of mine who lost her son a couple of years ago told me, “I love it when someone tells me a story about him." To her, that tells her he's still remembered, still loved, still appreciated.

Today, and every day, may we remember this: saying their name is not what hurts. Silence is.

For more ways to help normalize end-of-life conversations, visit my site to read my current blog.

08/25/2025

There is such a thing as “good grief” and my new mug proves it.

“Good grief” is authentic grieving. Good grief is mourning (the necessary outward expression of grief) that helps soften the edges so you can keep moving. Good grief doesn't look like anyone else’s grief because it’s as unique as you are, and as unique as your relationship with the person who is gone.

Good grief isn’t on anybody’s timetable but your own. It's not a straight path and it's not predictable. Some days you’ll cry, some days you’ll laugh at a memory, and sometimes you'll do both before the morning coffee’s gone.

Good grief is knowing that the greater the love, the greater the grief and the more complicated the relationship, the more complicated the grief.

If you need support while you figure out your version of good grief, I’m here. Let's meet and have a cup of coffee.

08/23/2025

I'm grateful for the work of Walla Walla Community Hospice. Their bereavement support team of social workers and chaplains provides thoughtful, compassionate care.

Our Fall—Wednesday support group is starting Sept 3rd. Call our office at: 509-525-5561 or go to the link in our Bio to sign up. Space is limited and once the group has begun it will close to any new members 2 weeks in for the duration of the 10 sessions. We would love to walk along side you as you navigate grief and loss this fall season. You are not alone.

08/22/2025

Today I ordered reusable book bags for future Journey Forward grief support group attendees. These bags will help carry books and resources to and from the grief center, one simple way to make the path a little lighter.

08/19/2025

Photographs can hold the weight of grief and the warmth of memory in a single frame. They remind us not just of who we’ve lost, but of how deeply we loved. Today, on National Photography Day, I invite you to revisit an image that brings you closer to someone you miss. Let yourself feel what arises.

Is there a photo you keep close or is close to your heart? What makes that photo meaningful to you? If you’d like to share, I’d be honored to witness it.

I'll be the first to share in the feed below.

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08/19/2025

Grief does not always look like tears. Sometimes it looks like just being busy: work, workouts, shopping carts, new projects, endless research, extra travel, more coffee. These can help for a time. They protect a tender nervous system and let the loss arrive at a pace we can bear. If they become our only approach, they can keep grief stuck and create new problems.

I wrote about Grief Avoidance Patterns and simple ways to notice them with compassion and gently shift toward support. Read the full post here and feel free to share with someone who might need it.

What pattern do you notice in yourself today? No judgment, just awareness.

When grief feels overwhelming, we often look for ways to avoid or soften it. These patterns are common, and you may notice yourself in one or more of them. Recognizing your pattern can be the first…

08/06/2025

I’m always looking for meaningful ways to support healing and remembrance. This upcoming event from Walla Walla Community Hospice is a beautiful example of just that.

Through the simple act of painting a rock in memory of a loved one, they create space for reflection, expression, and connection.

I encourage anyone who is navigating loss, whether recent or long ago, to consider participating in this special gathering. Moments like these remind us that we’re not alone.

Please join us on August 16th at Eastgate Lion’s Park Pavilion, for our annual Rock Painting experience. This unique event is designed to help you process grief through a creative outlet while making a keepsake to honor your journey. No experience needed. To register click the link in our bio or call us at: 509.525.5561.