WE ARE SORRY about your loss 💛

YOUR GRIEF!!!

Give yourself permission to not be okay.

You are ALLOWED to crumble.

You are ALLOWED to feel lost, broken, or incomplete.

You are ALLOWED to have days when you can’t show up, when you cancel plans, when you stop pretending you’re fine.

This is a tender season. You don’t have to rush through it or prove how strong you are.

You can simply be. Resting, grieving, pausing, surviving.

‌‌‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌‌‌[*** That, in itself, is an act of COURAGE. ***]‌‌‌‌‌⬅️‌‌‌‌‌

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   SOME of us have been MEMBERS of this group for YEARS.

Over the YEARS, we stop by "when we can" to SHARE and also to SUPPORT other members.

This group is NOT only about grief & loss - it is about ALL areas of our lives that have been "affected" by our loss.

Support that NEVER ends.

So stop by when you can to see us.

‌‌‌‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌‌‌‌[*** Members "helping" members. ***]‌‌‌‌‌⬅️‌‌‌‌‌

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

‌🕯‌   SUDDEN or SHOCKING losses – due to events like crimes, accidents or suicide – can be traumatic. There is no way to prepare. They can challenge your sense of security and confidence in the predictability of life. You may experience symptoms such as sleep disturbance, nightmares, disturbing thoughts, social isolation or severe anxiety. *** Maybe speaking with your doctor or counselor can provide some "comfort" as you try to deal with all this. 🤗

🪔    On those days/nights when NOTHING brings you COMFORT, ask your HIGHER POWER (God, Universe, something else) for help. Then "trust" that this help will arrive! Grieving is a journey, not a destination & you are going to survive. One step at a time my friend. Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

‌‌🗣‌‌   TALKING about YOUR grief can feel awkward, but remember, SOME people want to HELP.

Simply SHARING what you NEED, whether it’s a shoulder to CRY on or an ERRAND done on your behalf, can LIGHTEN your emotional load.

‌‌➡️‌‌[*** Not everyone will be there for you, but keep searching for the ones who are. Forgive the ones who are NOT & move on to the NEXT person. ‌‌👍‌‌

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🚗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🚘‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    Driving Safety Risks WHILE GRIEVING!!!

*** When you can, get a RIDE until things settle down for you.

(1) Reduced REACTION Time: Similar to driving intoxicated, grief impairs your ability to react to hazards, making "near misses" or accidents more likely.

(2) Distraction & Disassociation: You may "zone out," forget where you are, or become overwhelmed, leading to missed stop signs or lane drifting.

(3) Sudden EMOTIONAL Surges: Triggers, such as songs or reminders of the deceased, can cause sudden, intense crying that blurs vision and impairs focus.

(4) Physical FATIGUE: Intense loss can cause severe exhaustion, reducing alertness.

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   "Online" SUPPORT for your journey - before you bury your luv one & after. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

SO MANY decisions to be made!!!

Let us help you through all of this = WE ALSO lost someone we cared about.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

‌💻‌   AARP regularly hosts free virtual grief and loss webinars that are open to BOTH members and non-members. These ONLINE sessions focus on topics like after-death planning, coping with loss, and learning how to compassionately support grieving loved ones.

‌➡️‌[*** We do POST Event Information as separate threads as soon as they are set up. Available in ALL time zones, weekdays.

‌‌😞‌‌  Losing a CHILD is one of the most devastating and unnatural experiences a person can face.

‌‌➡️‌‌[*** We are "suppose" to die BEFORE them!!! ‌‌😤‌‌

(1) Find SPECIALIZED Support Groups: Connecting with other bereaved parents can provide profound validation and understanding. 

(2) MEMORIALIZE Your Child: Finding ways to honor your child can be deeply comforting. Whether through a dedicated ritual, donating to a cause they cared about, or simply talking about them, actively remembering allows you to carry your child forward.

*** I am SO SORRY for your loss dear friend. Nicole ‌🤗‌‌💛‌

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💡‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  SELF FORGIVENESS!!!

There are times on OUR JOURNEY that we may have "regrets" about things we "should" have done while our luv one was still with us.

Or "words" we NOW regret that was said to them.

*** Try to FORGIVE YOURSELF = your luv one has. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌