Today, Bermuda observed its first-ever Grief and Loss Awareness Day, an initiative launched by Mykiee Jones, to bring attention to the journey of healing after loss. “The event was hosted by The Gina Spence Vigil Program.
The day was marked with powerful testimonies, including one from Jessica Burns, who courageously shared her story of losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2023.
Jessica described her mother Kim Burns, as a fighter, a woman who battled her illness with unwavering strength. But amid her grief, Jessica found a calling—to create retreats for cancer patients and those navigating loss, offering them a space for connection and healing.
“For me, my mom was so brave, and she always was. But in her cancer journey, she never got to step out of that role. She had to stay strong. I’ve now created a community where women like my mom don’t have to be brave all the time. I think it would have been really helpful for my mom if she could have shared how scared she was.”
Jessica’s mother, a nurse and grief counselor, understood the complexities of loss, both as a professional and as someone facing her own mortality. Jessica shared that her mother’s deepest sorrow wasn’t just for herself but for those she would leave behind.
Yet, through grief, Jessica discovered her life’s purpose. She left her corporate job in London to dedicate herself to running grief and cancer retreats. Partnering with Big Girl Panties, she helps people find peace, connection, and a way forward.
“I would trade it all to have my mom back, of course. But I genuinely feel that in my grief, I found my calling. My mom’s life purpose was to help people pass peacefully. Mine is to help them live peacefully.”
Jessica was surrounded by her father, two sisters, and aunt at today’s event—each carrying their own grief while supporting one another. She spoke about her father’s quiet strength, noting how his own loss at her age resurfaced as he navigated this new chapter.
“For men, grieving is different. The only emotion they’re allowed in public is anger. But we’re rewriting that. My dad has always been ‘Mr. Happy,’ but now he’s showing us it’s okay to cry.”
A particularly touching moment came when Jessica reflected on a dream she had before her mother’s passing.
“I was asleep, and in my dream, she appeared above my bed, glittering. Then she went into my heart, and my heart lit up in glitter. I woke up and ran downstairs, only to be told she was actively transitioning. She passed away that day. When we did today’s exercise of holding a wooden heart to our chest, it felt like her whispering, ‘I’m with you, baby. I’m here.’”
As Bermuda embarks on this new awareness initiative, Jessica’s story serves as a reminder of resilience, love, and the transformative power of grief. Through her work, she ensures that no one has to walk their journey alone.
And as she carries her mother’s memory forward, she holds onto her mother’s motto:
“One day at a time.”
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