OUR STORY

This Is Grief was born from profound loss and love. After the unimaginable heartbreak of losing our youngest child in a car accident our family found itself in a world that kept moving forward while we stood still forever shaped by grief. During the first year even simple tasks felt overwhelming. On one particularly difficult day while I was at the vet a mother casually asked if I had children. Her innocent question was such a trigger I found myself unable to speak as tears streamed down my face. I felt so bad about my reaction that when our dog came out I rushed out the front door without paying and had to call the front desk from my car to finish.

This is grief — and days like these varied but left me feeling exhausted and embarrassed for I never knew how I might respond to normal acts of connection. On another one of my harder days when I knew I would be out in public I decided to write "I'm grieving" on a small piece of painter's tape and place it on my coat just in case. It was in that desperate act that I decided to make myself a shirt and it was life-changing. It gave me permission to ask for compassion while acknowledging the reality of my situation without guilt.

I realized that grief doesn’t have an expiration date — it shows up unexpectedly even years after your loss. By year two I had made grief-awareness products for myself and my family. To my surprise others started asking for shirts for themselves or loved ones and that is how This Is Grief was born.

Our Mission

Our mission is to foster a culture where grief is seen, acknowledged and supported. Through our products we aim to help people carry their grief with compassion and a connection that feels authentic to their journey. Sometimes there are no words and that’s ok — but no one should have to carry it all alone.

— Love Kienan’s Mom, April Votolato

Thanks to Charlie Wagers who worked with me on the Deer and Fern designs. wwwcharliewagers.com