Opinion | When it comes to grief, there is no substitute for showing up

Toronto StarOpinion
Written By Shara Cooper MA, MFA

Originally published June 15, 2026.

My mom died in mid-May.

Like all the oldest baby boomers, she would have turned 80 this year. Many people attended her funeral online. Far fewer sat in the pews. I was grateful for every expression of sympathy, whether it arrived as a phone call, a message, a card, or a name in the livestream. Yet, as I looked at the empty seats, I found myself thinking about what it means to truly show up. In an age of constant connection, we are losing the value of simply being present. Physical presence in grief and caregiving carries a kind of weight that digital connection cannot replace.

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Shara Cooper MA, MFA

Shara Cooper is a writer, editor and independent publisher based in Edmonton, Alberta. She is the founder of Nordic Prairie Life and SCENE 49 and publishes The Boundary Sentinel, an independent news publication serving British Columbia’s Boundary region. Her work spans journalism, essays, culture, history and community storytelling, and her writing has appeared in various publications including the Toronto Star.

https://www.sharacooper.ca
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