When we choose to live outside of our birth country, we accept a silent challenge: the task of rebuilding our support systems from scratch. We leave behind family, childhood friends, and familiar neighbourhoods to weave a new safety net of relationships. Over time, these cross-cultural friendships grow into something much deeper than mere acquaintances. They become our chosen family.
But what happens when tragedy strikes this inner circle? How do we navigate the heavy burden of grief when we are far from home?
In my new video, I explore the profound experience of identity destruction through the lens of immigration and loss. Building on the work of European scholar Nic Beech – who outlines the three practices of recognition, experimentation, and reflection – I share my personal journey of mourning two incredible women who served as my anchors in Canada.
Watch my new video:
Bridges Between Worlds
In the video, I pay tribute to two of my late friends: Tomoko, who brought the art, elegance, and traditions of Japan into my life, and Jovana, a fellow immigrant from my home country of Serbia who became an adopted grandmother to my children.
Their departures forced me out of my cultural bubble and into a space of profound learning. I share what I discovered while navigating a traditional Japanese Buddhist mourning process alongside a uniquely Canadian tradition: the Celebration of Life. While my native Serbian culture often focuses heavily on the heavy sorrow of loss, I witnessed how other cultures lean into the reconstruction of identity by celebrating the unique joy, meaning, and legacy of a life well-lived.
Loss is universal, but how we grieve is shaped by the cultures we inhabit. If you are currently living abroad, navigating a cross-cultural community, or dealing with the complex emotions of grief far from your roots, this video is for you.
I would love to hear from you: How have you navigated sensitive or heavy moments within a cross-cultural community? Let’s connect and build a supportive dialogue in the comments section of my video.
