Cooking Through Grief

The kitchen has always been a symbol of comfort and community.  It is a true gathering place for families and friends.  A place to share, refresh, be fed and nurtured.  This culinary culture of support and community was abundantly apparent at Hospice of Santa Cruz County’s first Cooking through Grief group. This unique cooking experience took place on April 24th and May 8th in the kitchen of Resurrection Church’s Markey Hall in Aptos.

This intimate cooking and grief support group of 6 enjoyed the company of each other while picking up new cooking tips and creating new recipes. They also enjoyed the delicious fruits of their labor around a beautifully set table. Heartfelt sharing on the challenges of eating and cooking alone after a partner dies was truly understood by compassionate and understanding ears.  Authentic smiles and laughter were shared between the participants, as well as a few tears, reminding us that grief has a place in our everyday lives, even at the kitchen table around good food, compassionate friends and a supportive hospice community (HSCC facilitators included Shirley Sapena and Cheri Bianchini. Cooking instruction by Adrienne Meier).