I have a jar of feathers in the hall. Every time we go on a walk, my daughter finds a feather and we cart it home carefully to sit in the glass jar next to my sons latest rock collection. Every found treasure holds a special meaning and a different story for each of my children. We have a home full of meaning, cluttered by our own stories real and imagined. We are all made up of stories.
A very warm welcome goes out to the new people who have walked into this corner of the internet! When I first set out writing here on Substack, I didn’t anticipate that more than a hundred of you would find delight in my little essays and poems. Last week I shared a little story and it seemed to resonate with many new faces. If you didn't see it and you're curious, here it is:
Who Am I?
If you're new here, my name is Raine. I'm a single mama, a poet and expressive writing guide at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada. I lost my youngest sister in an accident in December 2022 and since then have been writing largely about grief, beauty and the magic in the mundane.
In addition to being a published author, I am a certified breathwork coach, I have a degree and a couple certificates in both Speech and Drama and Expressive Arts Therapy. I've been a spoken word artist for years, and I have a graduate degree in Transformative Learning.
What I Do
Through poetry and other creative practices, I help people come home to themselves, because life heals and life hurts and the only way through is to feel it all.
I like to imagine poetry as a magnifying glass, revealing the ordinary sweetness interwoven in the fabric of your daily life. I help people learn to use creative writing as a magnifying glass in their own lives.
I also hold space for exploring grief and everything that comes with it. Using narrative healing and expressive arts tools, I focus on supporting fellow grieving humans in processing their loss through creativity and ritual.
We are all made up of stories, and the stories of the ones we have lost are a continuation of our relationships with them. I collect andshare the stories of others walking with grief, and will resume sharing those pieces in the new year. You can learn more about my series Walking with Others here:
If you're curious about my art and my workshops, you can learn more here
All we are is stories At the end of the day When the lights go out We are a story left behind On the tongues of those Still living
I am grateful to welcome you all here. I hope you'll share your stories with me too.
While I am taking a brief break for the rest of December, you can expect to see a couple poems and a little gift to download on the winter solstice.
Thank you for being here.
I collect feathers and the rocks too. They speak to me...messages and connections with nature and the worlds beyond.