Dr. Florie Wild invited Davis students and locals to come together as a community and grieve
By MATTHEW MCELDOWNEY — city@theaggie.org
Whether it be for the loss of a loved one or the results of a contentious election, Dr. Florie Wild hosted a safe space to release these feelings of grief on Nov. 9. This event was free for all to attend in the Village Homes Community Center.
Dr. Florie Wild, formerly a grief specialist for the UC Davis Student Health & Wellness Center, emphasized group therapy and grief work as she moved to being a private practitioner.
“I just love getting people to care for each other,” Wild said. “Because a lot of what I do is not necessarily exclusive to what we can do for one another.”
Wild began the grief ritual by addressing the collective grief of the world as countries are in conflict and the environment undergoes irreversible change. Participants were then asked to break out into smaller groups to talk about what brought them here. Those comfortable enough to share with the whole group were given the opportunity to do so with the support of one another.
There was another exercise where people were invited to hold hands in a circle and let go once the age at which they felt that they would pass away was announced. Herein, many participants described the pain of seeing those around them leave the circle before them while those who had left felt inspired by those who stayed, especially the younger folks.
During the ritual itself, Wild invited all to express their grief alongside one another through tears, anger or silence. Meanwhile, Wild read poetry and played music for the group.
“Oftentimes it feels as though these drag on a little too long, but it was different,” Wild said. “Most if not everybody was crying, and it was wonderful to see the men that were able to feel vulnerable hug each other and cry.”
Afterward, blindfolded participants rotated in a circle to offer one another anonymous affirmations and care. From this group overall, there was a sense of accomplishment and appreciation for each other for making it to this ritual. For some, they described a picture or a poem, but for many, it was enough to have a helping hand or hug with someone there to say, “You are enough.”
Through these exercises, Wild hoped to achieve her mission of encouraging a society that is willing to tackle their grief without shame or support from others.
“It is awkward because we do not normally do this as a culture,” Wild said. “But, awkward is not bad. It is just something we have not done before. After all, the other side of awkwardness is awesome.
Wild is hosting another grief ritual in Forest Love, Berkeley on Nov. 23, as well as a free Soul Journey Workshop on Dec. 7 at the Village Homes Community Center in Davis. This workshop is meant to introduce the Wild Women Rising group which is dedicated to fostering community and expressing womanhood. Wild hopes for another grief ritual event like this to return to Davis by spring; however, she has not confirmed a specific date for its return. Up-to-date information regarding events and her work can be accessed on her official website.
In her closing thoughts, Dr. Florie Wild described the strongest takeaway from the grief ritual and what she would want for all those who attended to have taken away that day.
“You are not alone, and you do not have to be alone with it,” Wild said.
Written by: Matthew Mceldowney — city@theaggie.org
