Allison Gilbert on Keeping Memories of Our Loved Ones Alive

“When I wrote “Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive”, I really wanted to get to work and to make sure readers understood that there is a real scientific backing for why keeping memories alive is so important to our long-term and short-term well being.”

— Allison Gilbert

I had such a great discussion with Allison Gilbert for this episode. I had the pleasure of meeting Allison earlier this summer at the National Alliance for Grieving Children annual symposium in Snowbird, Utah. Allison is a board member of the NAGC, and was a keynote speaker at the symposium. I knew right away that she would be fantastic to talk to about practical ideas for keeping the memories of our loved ones alive, and also about how important it is to do so.

Some topics that Allison and I cover include:

• Why keeping memories alive is so important to our long-term and short-term well-being;

• How remembering helps to create continuing bonds with our loved ones who have died;

• Why Allison’s goal is to empower people to feel confident in implementing ideas and strategies for remembering;

• Using fillable lamps to display collectibles or small items that remind you of your loved one;

• Ideas for repurposing fabrics into special keepsakes, even if you’re not crafty yourself;

• Why she calls technology the “low-hanging fruit of memory keeping”;

• Ways to use social media to help with remembering, including embracing “Throwback Thursday”;

• Suggestions for engaging your kids around cooking mom’s or dad’s favorite recipe;

• What is commemorative travel, and how it can help us honor and celebrate our loved ones; and

• Additional ideas and resources you can request by emailing Allison.

One quick tech note: about halfway through, the audio on my side of the conversation gets weird. I’ve tried everything to fix it, to no avail. I recently upgraded to a fancy new microphone that really should not have these issues, so it appears I have some troubleshooting to do. I apologize in advance for the rough audio in places. Allison sounds great on her end of the line, and that’s the most important part.

I hope you enjoy my discussion with Allison Gilbert.

Links & resources for this episode

• Allison’s website and blog

• Allison on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest

• Email allisongilbert@allisongilbert.com to ask for “MORE FABRIC IDEAS”, “MORE TRAVEL IDEAS,” “PRESERVATION TIPS”, or “HOW TO HOST A MEMORY BASH”

• O, The Oprah Magazine: The Reflection Effect, by Allison Gilbert

• Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive, by Allison Gilbert

• Parentless Parents: How the Loss of Our Mothers and Fathers Impacts the Way We Raise Our Children, by Allison Gilbert

• Always Too Soon: Voices of Support for Those Who Have Lost Both Parents, by Allison Gilbert

• Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy, Fifth Edition: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, by J. William Worden

• Fillable lamps

• Totes with Tales

• National Alliance for Grieving Children

• TAPS: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

• The Western Wall

• National September 11 Memorial & Museum

More links for listeners

• Download: Kids & Grief: What You Need to Know

• Article: I’m a Widowed Mom: Here Are My 3 Tips for COVID-19 Widows

• Book: Widowed Parents Unite: 52 Tips to Get Through the First Year, from One Widowed Parent to Another

Thank you sponsors & partners:

Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk

BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent

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