A young man dealing with the death of his mother has shared his journey through grief, prompting a discussion about the impact of losing a family member.
On Wednesday, Australian influencer Bill Barker opened up about the grief he was facing after his mother, Jayne, died of cancer.
'It has been four-and-a-half days since Mum passed, and to say the last four-and-a-half days have been a rollercoaster is an understatement,' he said.
'The first two days I was such a mess. I was shattered.
'Life isn't all sunshine and rainbows.'
Mr Barker had only recently returned to his apartment after spending days grieving with family and organising funeral arrangements.
While it was difficult for him to express what it's like to lose a parent, Mr Barker explained what the first days of loss were like for him.
Bill Barker (pictured) shared a video on Wednesday talking about how he is coping with the death of his mother, Jayne
Mr Barker's mother (pictured together) passed last week with the influencer admitting:'I've never had to deal with grief like this before, the first two days I was such a mess'
'I've never had to deal with grief like this before, the first two days I was such a mess. I was just shattered,' he said.
'Mum keeps being her little spooky self and sending me these signs. I keep seeing her everywhere.
'Like the rainbow that was on my flight on the way home this morning. I've never seen a rainbow while I've been in a plane and this was my rainbow.
'I instantly smiled and I was like, "Mum" and then I just had a little chat with her on the plane, and it's things like that that make me feel at peace and knowing that she's not in pain anymore.'
He added he wasn't sure what to do in the time between his mother's death and her funeral.
'I just wanted to take this week just for myself and just to treat myself right and look after me,' Mr Barker said.
He then thanked his followers who sent messages of support and strangers for their acts of kindness, saying: 'It means the f**king world, literally the world.
'All my friends, I came home and I had cards and flowers and it's just been the most beautiful support that I could ever ask for.
'Mum's favourite flowers, are sunflowers. There's so many flowers. I'm just so grateful.
'On the plane this morning, the Virgin girls wrote me a letter and gave me some snacks.
'I'm literally taking this week as a self-care week. I'm double cleansing my body. I'm having big long showers and I'm going for hot girl walks.
'I've never been through something like this - so I'm just trying to surround myself with people that make me happy and do things that make me happy.'
Many Australians shared their experiences after their parents died.
One said: 'After my mum past away her best friend who is a psychic had a message from her to me, everyone takes a different amount of time once you cross over but if you’re already receiving signs from her.'
Another added: I lost my dad eight years ago and I still get signs from him and its always exactly when I need it so even though your mum is gone she'll never leave you.'
Others also revealed they were struggling with loss.
'I lost my mama just over a month ago. My world is shattered and I can’t comprehend how I can’t just pick up the phone and call her,' one wrote.
'I lost my dad nearly six months ago, take it day by day and be extra kind to yourself. Grief is not linear,' another said.
Another wrote: 'I lost my dad ten years ago. Biggest thing I've learnt is that grief comes in waves.
'It might be a few days after and you'll feel fine to conquer your day to day life, or it might be 10 years later andthe grief hits you all over again.
'Just know that it gets better with time.'
Mr Barker's open discussion about his grief encouraged other Australians to share their own experiences
Mr Barker (pictured) talked about seeing 'signs' from his mum, like a rainbow on the plane ride home, that made him 'feel at peace'
'She's watching over you and she’s so proud, sending love,' a third added.
'I am sure that she would want you to take care of you and grieve however you feel necessary. You’ve got this,' a fourth said.
Mr Barker's manager told Daily Mail Australia: 'Jayne was an amazing lady, mum and friend. The room would light up whenever she would walk in.'
