An echo of Nova Scotian infamy

and the make up of expertise

At the time of the last mass shooting, I was a counsellor, specifically, a grief counsellor.

I was pretty proud of my work.

And the Tee Vee news put me on Tee Vee.

They interviewed me about grief.

I wore a my fancy dress coat and a v neck sweater.

I could dress for the part!

The only thing missing?

Makeup.

Then I’d be like one of those professional commentary expert people you see on Tee Vee

But the people who brought me on?

They called me an ‘expert’.

Odd eh?

With grief, you’re always a beginner.

Maybe if I wore makeup then I’d be an expert.

But there is also the hazard that I may have ended up looking like a clown.

But that’s the problem with being known as an ‘expert’ - you need to be willing to wear the make up .

But now?

Now, I’m no counsellor, nor therapist.

I’m a tour guide and a fool.

I share sordid stories of delinquency and debauchery and sometimes I stop talking about myself and get into the history.

But I guess no one told the Tee Vee stations.

One just sent me an email.

Hello team! I hope all is well, I was wondering if JIM DALLING - GRIEF COUNSELOR could please join us for a live TV interview viz zoom at 7:05 PM EST to discuss navigating grief during the BC mass shooting ?

Thank you,

I read it and felt a great wave of relief as I typed the words no thank you, I no longer work in that field.

And even when I did?

All I said then stands true meow:

Grief is a natural process we go through.

It’s surprising.

You might find that you stop eating, or start randomly pissing our pants.

Grief is weird.

You’ll get through it.

Everybody does somehow.

Until they don’t.

Until then?

Keep giggling.