Redefining Grief with Herdyne Mercier, LCSW
 

Redefining Grief with Herdyne Mercier, LCSW

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The mission of this podcast is to explore all areas of grief by educating through stories and experiences. This podcast is for grievers and those wanting to learn how to support grievers.

Episodes

Tatiana Fortune: Overcoming My Nightmare

Tuesday Apr 21, 2020

Tuesday Apr 21, 2020

Tatiana Fortune

 

Episode Introduction

Tatiana Fortune joins Herdyne in this episode of Redefining Grief. Tatiana is the owner of Multi-Ethnic Collections and Moments of Fortune Events, a Southwest Florida event planning firm. She is passionate about making a positive difference to affect social change and improving the quality of lives for people in need.

In this episode, Tatiana shares the times going through a crossroad in her life. What she feared the most came upon her 11 years ago, in 2009. Tatiana lost her brother, who was only 25 then. 

She grew up in Fort Myers – MSW in Washington University of St. Louis and had big dreams. She expresses how her heart sank when on February 7th the following year, she got a call from her mom’s pastor, who told her that her brother died. She tried to get to happiness without going through the sadness then. She had to deal with the media because her brother and his friend were victims of homicide. 

Two months after her brother’s death, she got a call that led her into worry in April. The caller said her mom was in danger at home. The abusive relationship with her dad led her mother into this. He invoked fear through his words and actions. She recalls her dad telling her something in creole since her brother’s death. He said he would tie her waist girdle up because things would be terrible and that she would no longer have a family. 

She received another phone call the next day that said her mom was in hospital but alive. Her dad had harmed her to the point of death, and she committed suicide. Tatiana was relieved her mom was safe but being a daddy’s girl; she felt guilty for letting him go through such a tragedy. 

Herdyne talks about how Grief is natural, there are conflicting emotions, but we are not taught to deal with them. There is power in questioning, and life review helps to heal. The five grief anchors would always guide you through the darkness.  

The duo discusses Tatiana’s famous article as Tatiana shares what she meant by ” nightmares perfected my worship” in her article. She says God helped her through the lens of goodness and gave her enlightenment.

Many of us believe that we shouldn’t love our parents if we have a toxic relationship with them. Tatiana’s love proves otherwise. Tune in to learn how!

 

About Our Guest 

Tatiana Fortune is a MSW graduate and speaks Haitian Creole. She is the Senior Center Director of the Golden Gate Senior Center. Under her leadership the Center was established as the 2nd Senior Center in Collier County. In her role, she oversees the Centers operations and activities, program development, community partnerships, outreach and personnel supervision. Her social work background and experience includes serving youth involved in the juvenile justice system, homeless families and has worked with government agencies and non-profit organizations on community outreach and development initiatives. She is also the owner of a retail business, Multi – Ethnic Collections and Moments of Fortune Events, a Southwest Florida event planning firm. Tatiana is passionate about making a positive difference to affect social change and improving the quality of lives for people in need.

 

Episode Quotes

  • “It is vital that you live for today.” – Herdyne [02:16]
  •  “True happiness comes to a place when you can embrace your sadness “- Herdyne [19:05]
  • “There's power in asking questions. “- Herdyne [36:23]
  • “But there's trying time, right where we are perfected, and we grow and we become stronger, and we become better, more brilliant, more amazing than we ever thought we could have been before that circumstance.” – Tatiana Fortune [42:40]
  • “Life is not perfect, but it must be lived.” -  Herdyne  [43:19]
  • “Do not police anyone's grief.” - Herdyne [45:17]

 

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

  • One word to describe your grief Journey? [47:16]

Enlightening. 

  • What have you learned about yourself during this time? [48:59]

I learned that I'm stronger than I think. That I have a greater sense of appreciation for who I am and I just love people because of that. And because of the people who showed up. And I value relationships a lot more. I'm more intentional. This has made me very, very more intentional in how I live and how I celebrate and appreciate those around me.

  • In five words or less what encouraging words can you say to an individual who's listening to your testimony? [49:52]

 This too shall pass.

 

Episode Time-Stamps

  • [01:20] – Herdyne’s wedding anniversary
  • [03:04] –Brief introduction about Tatiana
  • [09:02] –Tatiana’s life before the crossroad
  • [14:18] –Brother’s  death
  • [17:42] –Grief is a conflicting feeling
  • [23:12] –Mom’s  life in danger 
  • [26:43] –Dad’s suicide
  • [28:59] –Tatiana questioning God at the crossroad
  • [37:25] –Counselling and peace
  • [40:36] –Nightmares perfected my worship

 

Reference Links

  •  Article: 

Overcoming My Nightmare

https://www.protectyourglow.com/guest-post-overcoming-my-nightmare/ 

  • Book:

Glory Bible verse of job 3.25

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Job-Chapter-3/


Connect with Tatiana 

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

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Comments (1)

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StillRae

Truly a blessing! shared this with my small group... same sentiment discussed (Book of Habakkuk), especially with questioning God about life circumstances. Thanks for your story!!!

Tuesday Apr 21, 2020

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