From Widow to Willow - A Journey Through Bereavement and Grief | Karla Hollencamp | TEDxDayton

Karla describes her journey from widow to willow, as she learned to accept the loss of her husband. Often called a bereavement sherpa by friends and family, Karla shares some of the tools and tips that helped her to embrace her new reality. Karla led a charmed life. Born in California, raised in Maryland, Karla came to Dayton, Ohio for college and stayed for marriage and family. Building a career in writing, marketing, publishing and printing, she balanced a home and work life with her husband, attorney Art Hollencamp. Their three children got advanced degrees, good jobs, spouses and children. Art was at the top of his legal career. Then, just as the retirement they’d worked hard for was in sight, Art was diagnosed with Stage Four Esophageal Cancer. He died in 2015. Since then Karla has worked with Calvary Cemetery, creating community events like Angel Night, as a tour guide and educational workshop leader for school groups visiting Carillon Park, and most recently at The Modern College of Design as an enrollment coordinator. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx