WE ARE SORRY about your loss 💛

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
August 2, 2025
536 replies
299862 views

THIS GROUP IS OPEN TO ALL GRIEVERS NO MATTER HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN [years,days].

To participate, click on reply button at bottom of this post. Enter your comment. Click on reply again.

Grief & Loss Team 🤗

‌‌👴‌‌‌‌👵‌‌ Grieving in OLD AGE is uniquely challenging due to accumulated loss — often called BEREAVEMENT OVERLOAD. It’s a whole-body experience extending beyond losing loved ones to include grief over declining health, independence, and shifting identities. Isolation worsens this, making ACTIVE SELF-CARE, community connection, and PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT absolutely vital.

‌➡️‌[*** If you know a Senior who is "grieving", please CHECK on them daily. If you are a Senior who is GRIEVING, please "reach out" to let the CARING folks in your life KNOW you need them. My daughter CHECKS on me daily. ‌💛‌‌🤗‌

SummerOnTheWay1Author

AARP Peer Support & Forums: Connect with others walking the same path on the AARP Grief & Loss Online Community. It provides a SAFE space to share stories, ask for advice, and exchange COMFORTING messages.

SummerOnTheWay1Author

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌📌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ Make a MEMORY blanket, teddy or cushions out of YOUR loved ones’ clothes.

*** Something to "snuggle" up with on those "sleepless" nights or when the "tears" arrive. ‌

SummerOnTheWay1Author

🪧 Try to maintain YOUR hobbies and interests.

There’s comfort in routine and getting back to the activities that bring you joy and connect you closer to others can help you come to terms with your loss and aid the grieving process.

*** Maybe try something NEW.

SummerOnTheWay1Author

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🎵‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🎶‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ Compile a list of YOUR loved ones’ favorite songs or music. Include songs that evoke happy memories and songs that soothe YOU and bring you COMFORT.

*** An excellent way to "relax" or "exercise".

SummerOnTheWay1Author

🪔 Maintain Self-Care: Prioritize the basics. Maintain a healthy sleep schedule, eat nutritious meals, and engage in regular exercise.

SummerOnTheWay1Author

‌📍‌ Permit Yourself to Feel Joy: Experiencing happiness or laughing does not dishonor the person you lost. It is a sign of resilience and the human capacity to heal.

R

rl1874

Contributor ⭐

This coming August it will be three years since I lost my husband. This year has been so hard as I look for my identity.
Health has not been the best, I’ve needed to make decisions………feeling so overwhelmed. 💕🦋💕

SummerOnTheWay1Author

[Tuesday 7/28/26]

Dear @rl1874 , I am SO SORRY for your loss dear friend!!!

It does NOT matter how many YEARS it has been, we miss them.

Lost mine to COVID & at age 68 this September, have my good & bad days.

Individual Counseling helped me to find BALANCE in a life I NEVER "planned" to be living.

Do you have any family or friends nearby?

Maybe a pet?

My daughter is in ANOTHER "state" from me & boy, it is SO HARD.

Yes, as WE AGE, stuff happens.

Just "try" to do YOUR BEST each day/night. He is WATCHING over you. Luvs you. You will see him again soon.

Meanwhile, take care of your body. Keep those Medical Appts.

And I am "talking" to myself. Finally READY to do a "biopsy" that should have been done LAST YEAR. I owe my "only" child this.

We are ALWAYS here for you!!!

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

➡️[*** RL @rl1874 wrote:
This coming August it will be three years since I lost my husband. This year has been so hard as I look for my identity.
Health has not been the best, I’ve needed to make decisions………feeling so overwhelmed. 💕🦋💕

@MichelleC103656 @mc6844 @SummerOnTheWay1

SummerOnTheWay1Author

[Saturday 8/1/26]

Dear @rl1874 , I am "thinking" about YOU!!!

How are you doing TODAY/TONIGHT?

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

V

veronicaalmarzooq

Contributor ⭐

Hubby passed Three months ago. Pain and longing is getting harder and harder to bear. Loneliness and insecurities of living alone make it even harder. Need comforting words and people who understand.

JaneCares

Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐

Hello, Veronica.

Grief is the gift that keeps on giving. It is SO HARD. You know that already. I wonder if finding a grief group might help you. Is there a hospice near you? Many hospices welcome other people who are grieving to their bereavement groups, which are free. When you are feeling so tearful and wounded, it's hard to make calls and say, "I saw your group offers a bereavement group, could i come?" and then here, no its a closed group, we'll start another in 12 weeks.. . or whatever. But, the isolation of deep grief will be soothed. Do you belong to a worship community? Perhaps the minister or rabbit or imam can support you and suggest you start a group: there are always people who are carrying grief.

Are there activities that are fun, that he enjoyed too? Perhaps his favorite funny movie? My father loved Grumpy Old Men, so occasionally I'll watch it and shake my head. (Why would Ann Margaret hang out with those two??) And then cry right along.

People here don't post a whole lot but they do understand. What do you think you'd like to do? What feels possible?

Glad you posted. Sorry you're in pain. The pain means you love deeply. But, ouch.

Jane

E

edjojr1

Contributor ⭐

My husband passed away Memorial Day. I had a dream last night that he was back and we were working to reinstate his Social Security and pension. So vivid. Having a very tough time today.

SummerOnTheWay1Author

[7/19/26] Dear @edjojr1 , I am SO SORRY for your "loss" dear friend!!!

Yes, those "dreams" still take ALOT out of me. In fact, had a "sleepless" night last night.

The "experts" say that DREAMS are the way OUR LUV ONES are "communicating" with us.

Maybe he is letting you know he is okay & ALWAYS with you.

I still have my "good & bad" days after losing the luv of my life to COVID. Thought we would GROW OLD "together".

Some of us have found Counseling helps us to find a "balance" as WE TRY to "figure" out OUR LIFE.

Do you have any family or friends nearby?

My "only" child is in another state (Florida). I am in Virginia. Plan to move back to Florida when I can NO longer drive or live alone. I am 68 this September.

IF you are a Senior, and IF there are any Senior Centers near you - maybe try visiting them. I thought about "trying" mine here AGAIN, but gas is just TOO HIGH. A few years ago I had "visited" one, but was NOT "ready" to deal with the "personalities". Yes, that is life, we will encounter "challenging" people in our lives.

Counseling for a FEW MONTHS helped me & Medicare paid = NEVER received a bill. Just make sure your Primary Care Physician REFERS you. No need to end up with ANOTHER bill to pay in the midst of doing life on YOUR OWN. She let me cry. Get angry. She "helped" me to "release" ALL the emotions I had stored up. Yes, my daughter was & is there for me. But she was ALSO dealing with the "unexpected" loss of her dad.

In ending, I took in a cat I named "Mister" who is fiercely INDEPENDENT, but luving in spite of his humans moving WITHOUT him. 😤 But their loss. My gain. Yes, I MISS him & my daughter EVERY DAY, but my boy was mean't to enter my life. He needed a home. I needed a roommate./lol.

I am SO GLAD you stopped by & hope you will AGAIN.

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

➡️[*** @edjojr1 wrote:
My husband passed away Memorial Day. I had a dream last night that he was back and we were working to reinstate his Social Security and pension. So vivid. Having a very tough time today.

➡️[*** Tuesday 7/21/26 TO - @mc6844 , @MichelleC103656 , @SummerOnTheWay1 ]

SummerOnTheWay1Author

[7/19/26] Dear @edjojr1 , WE hope you will stop by AGAIN to see us!!!

Grief & Loss Team 🤗

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