PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A special Mother’s Day brunch in South Philadelphia honored mothers from a different perspective, one rooted in healing, remembrance, and community.
Organized by Bex Mastin, founder of Greeting Grief, the Mother’s Day Grief Brunch welcomed people coping with the loss of loved ones, providing a space to gather, share stories, and reflect.
“I wanted to provide something for people who were feeling that loss, like they wanted to be in community with one another,” she said. “Trying to bring people together around that grief.”
Guests sipped cocktails and shared waffles topped with homemade jam from Eat Pray Love, all while reflecting on loved ones through photos and storytelling. Tahnesha, who recently lost her mother, said sharing space with others who’ve experienced similar losses was deeply healing.
“You don’t understand it until you go through it,” she said. “They understand where they’re coming from and they understand what they’re coming from.”
Naomy, who supported the event by preparing and serving food, said grief and food go hand in hand.
“It’s cultural and brings us all together,” Naomy said. “So when we’re grieving, why not share a meal and memories?”
Brunch guests included Kelly and her niece, Ashley, who attended to honor Kelly’s late sister and Ashley’s mother.
“It’s a blessing for me to be with her... watch her from pampers to masters,” Kelly said.
Ashley added, “You know I lost my mom, her baby sister, about a year ago, and I wanted to hold space for both of us.”
Mastin hopes to continue offering community-centered grief events with plans to organize a Father’s Day Grief Brunch in the future.
“Being able to connect with another person around that similar loss is something you’re doing for yourself and someone else,” Mastin said.
“One of the things that really shows our humanity is being able to connect with people around grief, because it’s something we’ll all experience.”