🔊 FREE AARP "Grief & Loss" Online Events for Non-Members/Members!

[Spring2025]

https://local.aarp.org/virtual-community-center/

*** See details in posts BELOW ***

[Spring2025]

4 more days for the February 13th Event. Don't forget to register. Event info & registration link posted below.

[Spring2025]

FEBRUARY 2025 EVENTS!!!

Details are posted below, along with Registration Links.

Event dates - February 13, 20 and 27.

[Spring2025]

Conversations on Grief: Finding Meaning After Loss!

USE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER:
https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/finding-meaning-after-loss-bmnlp55s6nw.html.

DATE OF EVENT: Thursday, Feb 27, 2025.

AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT TIME ZONES:

11:30 a.m. ET - 10:30 a.m. CT - 9:30 a.m. MT - 8:30 a.m. PT.

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

For questions, contact AARP TX at txaarp@aarp.org.

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Grief can feel overwhelming, but finding meaning in loss can be healing. We’ll explore David Kessler’s transformative approach to grief and recovery.

When you’re grieving, it’s easy to get stuck in your pain. But if you can find meaning in loss, you can keep growing and find ways to live a good and even joyful life, enriched by the lessons and love of the person who died.

This webinar will share advice on how to go about it. Topics include:

[1] Why the six stages of grief are not linear.

[2] What “meaning-making” is, and why it’s the key to recovery from grief.

[3] The keys to finding acceptance and moving into meaning-making.

The presentation is based on Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler, co-author of On Grief and Grieving and Life Lessons with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Visit his website for more information on grief.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session.

[Spring2025]

👍Register EARLY for this February 27th Event!!!

EVENT NAME: Conversations on Grief: Finding Meaning After Loss!

USE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER:
https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/finding-meaning-after-loss-bmnlp55s6nw.html.

DATE OF EVENT: Thursday, Feb 27, 2025.

AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT TIME ZONES:

11:30 a.m. ET - 10:30 a.m. CT - 9:30 a.m. MT - 8:30 a.m. PT.

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

For questions, contact AARP TX at txaarp@aarp.org.

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Grief can feel overwhelming, but finding meaning in loss can be healing. We’ll explore David Kessler’s transformative approach to grief and recovery.

When you’re grieving, it’s easy to get stuck in your pain. But if you can find meaning in loss, you can keep growing and find ways to live a good and even joyful life, enriched by the lessons and love of the person who died.

This webinar will share advice on how to go about it. Topics include:

[1] Why the six stages of grief are not linear.

[2] What “meaning-making” is, and why it’s the key to recovery from grief.

[3] The keys to finding acceptance and moving into meaning-making.

The presentation is based on Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler, co-author of On Grief and Grieving and Life Lessons with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Visit his website for more information on grief.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session.

---

[Spring2025]

Conversations on Grief: Understanding and Expressing Your Anxiety After a Loss!

USE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER:

https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/understanding-and-expressing-fears-after-a-loss-zxnx4qqv4dc.html.

DATE: Thursday, Feb 20, 2025.

AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT TIME ZONES:

11:30 a.m. ET - 10:30 a.m. CT - 9:30 a.m. MT - 8:30 a.m. PT.

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

For questions, contact AARP TX at txaarp@aarp.org.

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Grieving commonly causes anxiety and fear. Join our webinar to understand these feelings and discover ways to comfort and distract yourself.

It’s normal to experience anxiety when grieving because loss shakes our sense of security in the present and often raises worries about the future. During this webinar you’ll learn:

[1] How to understand your anxiety and fears after loss – and their purpose.

[2] Why soothing your fears is essential.

[3] How continuous anxiety is bad for your health.

[4] Ways to comfort and distract yourself.

[5] How expressing your fears is the key to taming them.

This webinar is based on The Anxiety of Grief – How to Understand, Soothe, and Express Your Fears After Loss by Alan D. Wolfelt, director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition and a faculty member at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session.

[Spring2025]

👍 Register EARLY for this February 20th Event!!!

EVENT NAME: Conversations on Grief: Understanding and Expressing Your Anxiety After a Loss!

USE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER:

https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/understanding-and-expressing-fears-after-a-loss-zxnx4qqv4dc.html.

DATE: Thursday, Feb 20, 2025.

AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT TIME ZONES:

11:30 a.m. ET - 10:30 a.m. CT - 9:30 a.m. MT - 8:30 a.m. PT.

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

For questions, contact AARP TX at txaarp@aarp.org.

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Grieving commonly causes anxiety and fear. Join our webinar to understand these feelings and discover ways to comfort and distract yourself.

It’s normal to experience anxiety when grieving because loss shakes our sense of security in the present and often raises worries about the future. During this webinar you’ll learn:

[1] How to understand your anxiety and fears after loss – and their purpose.

[2] Why soothing your fears is essential.

[3] How continuous anxiety is bad for your health.

[4] Ways to comfort and distract yourself.

[5] How expressing your fears is the key to taming them.

This webinar is based on The Anxiety of Grief – How to Understand, Soothe, and Express Your Fears After Loss by Alan D. Wolfelt, director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition and a faculty member at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session.

---

[Spring2025]

Conversations on Grief: Understanding and Expressing Guilt After a Loss!

USE THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/understanding-and-expressing-guilt-after-a-loss-vlndr96nl3n.html

DATE OF EVENT: Thursday, Feb 13, 2025.

AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT TIME ZONES:

11:30 a.m. ET - 10:30 a.m. CT - 9:30 a.m. MT - 8:30 a.m. PT.

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

For questions, contact AARP TX at txaarp@aarp.org.

ABOUT EVENT:

Struggling with guilt and regret after a loss? Join our webinar to learn how to shine the healing light of understanding on yourself and express your emotions.

The finality of death allows no more time for apologizing or making amends, no second chances. So it’s normal to ponder “if only” and experience the guilt and regret associated with mistakes made and opportunities squandered. Yet shining the healing light of understanding and forgiveness on yourself and finding restorative ways to express these natural feelings allows them to soften.

This webinar will share insight and tools to help you evolve from guilt to grace. It is based on The Guilt of Grief: How to Understand, Embrace, and Restoratively Express Guilt and Regret After Loss by Alan D. Wolfelt, director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition and a faculty member at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session.

[Spring2025]

👍 Register EARLY for this February 13th Event!!!

NAME OF EVENT: Conversations on Grief: Understanding and Expressing Guilt After a Loss!

USE THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/understanding-and-expressing-guilt-after-a-loss-vlndr96nl3n.html

DATE OF EVENT: Thursday, Feb 13, 2025.

AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT TIME ZONES:

11:30 a.m. ET - 10:30 a.m. CT - 9:30 a.m. MT - 8:30 a.m. PT.

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

For questions, contact AARP TX at txaarp@aarp.org.

ABOUT EVENT:

Struggling with guilt and regret after a loss? Join our webinar to learn how to shine the healing light of understanding on yourself and express your emotions.

The finality of death allows no more time for apologizing or making amends, no second chances. So it’s normal to ponder “if only” and experience the guilt and regret associated with mistakes made and opportunities squandered. Yet shining the healing light of understanding and forgiveness on yourself and finding restorative ways to express these natural feelings allows them to soften.

This webinar will share insight and tools to help you evolve from guilt to grace. It is based on The Guilt of Grief: How to Understand, Embrace, and Restoratively Express Guilt and Regret After Loss by Alan D. Wolfelt, director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition and a faculty member at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session.

---

[Spring2025]

Date of Event: Tuesday - 12/17/24

Name of Event: Why Men Grieve Differently and How to Support Them!!!

Our grief is as individual as we are but there are common differences between men’s and women’s experiences that we’ll explore in this webinar.

About the Event.

Time: 11:30 a.m. ET • 10:30 a.m. CT • 9:30 a.m. MT • 8:30 a.m. PT.

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

For questions, contact AARP TX at txaarp@aarp.org.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Men tend to think their way through grief; women seem to feel their way. Women often perceive men as being devoid of emotions, reluctant to share their feelings. Maybe it’s because men are taught to honor the pain of loss after the death of a loved one, then hide any feelings associated with it. And when men and women try to talk with one another about their grief, they quickly find they are speaking two different grief languages.

In this webinar, we will explore the root cause of differences in how men and women grieve. We'll discuss how to replace expectation and judgment with understanding and compassion. You’ll learn practical skills you can use to give the men in your life heart-centered grief support. This session is based on the book, When Men Grieve: Why Men Grieve Differently and How You Can Help, by Elizabeth Levang, Ph.D.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required You will receive an email with the Zoom link before class.

LINK BELOW TO REGISTER.

https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/why-men-grieve-differently-and-how-to-support-them-xdnzy24zr2t.html

[sfsmith56]

I missed the event.  I do have a book coming to Amazon soon titled:  Life After Death: Resilience, Identity, and Revelations During Grief and After Loss

I think the member will enjoy it!  It tells my stories of losing my family and what I did to get to the last level of grief: acceptance.  I would love reviews after you have read it!

Shirley Smith, Author & AARP Member

[sfsmith56]

I hope this book is helpful to some.  I went through quite a bit of healing as I wrote it:  https://a.co/d/59fEYkY.

Please share your thoughts concerning loss after reading the book.

Blessings on your week

Shirley

[Spring2025]

Date of Event: Wednesday - Dec 11, 2024.

Name of Event - Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss in Joyful Times!!!

*** REGISTRATION REQUIRED. LINK AT BOTTOM OF THIS POST. ***

Times: 11:30 a.m. ET - 10:30 a.m. CT - 9:30 a.m. MT - 8:30 a.m. PT.

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

For questions, contact AARP TX at txaarp@aarp.org.

We'll explore how to plan for coping with grief during the holidays, from finding ways to ease stress to deciding whether to observe traditions.

About the Event.

Someone you love has died. How do you face the holidays and cope with your grief when everyone around you is so joyful? Holidays are some of the most challenging times after a loss.

In this webinar, we’ll cover how to make a plan for dealing with grief during the holidays.

Topics include:

[1] How to eliminate unnecessary stress.

[2] How to talk about the person who died.

[3] Deciding what to do about traditions.

[4] How to have a “This Will Do” Christmas.

[5] Identifying “triggers” to help minimize holiday grief surprises.

[5] How to take loving care of yourself.

Certified Grief Educator Garrick Colwell will facilitate this webinar. Garrick holds a “Death and Grief Studies Certification” from The Center for Loss and Life Transitions and collaborates with Hospice Austin on developing innovative grief and bereavement support programs.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session.

LINK BELOW TO REGISTER.

https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/grief-and-the-holidays-coping-with-loss-in-joyful-times-rjnzs86vx79...

[Spring2025]

Event Date: Thursday - Dec 5, 2024.
 
Event Name: Coping With Complicated Grief!!!
 

*** REGISTRATION REQUIRED. LINK AT BOTTOM OF THIS POST. ***

Event Times: 11:30 a.m. ET - 10:30 a.m. CT - 9:30 a.m. MT - 8:30 a.m. PT.

Event Duration: 90 Minutes.

Zoom - Free Online Event.

Grief is always difficult, but if yours feels especially painful and lasting, you may be experiencing complicated grief.

About the Event.

Complicated grief is not an illness or disorder. It's normal grief that's been made more challenging by circumstances that might overwhelm you. In this webinar, you'll learn:

[1] How complicated grief is different and what you can do to soften and eventually reconcile it.

 
[2] How to inventory the reasons your grief is complicated.
 
[3] The symptoms of complicated grief.
 
[4] How to mourn when grief is complicated.  
 
[5] How to reconcile your complicated grief. 
 
[6] How to find hope for healing and a path through the wilderness of complicated grief.

This webinar is based on "Complicated Grief - How to Understand, Express and Reconcile Your Especially Difficult Grief," by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D., who serves as the director of the Center for Loss and Life Transitione and is on the faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine.

How to Join.

Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before class.
 
LINK TO REGISTER BELOW.

https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/coping-with-complicated-grief-n7n36bhj55q.html

[Spring2025]

👍  EVENTS PARTICIPANTS FEEDBACK!!!

Stop by to READ what Event Participants [1] @MkK700720 , [2] Cadee @Cadee2719 and [3] MC @mc6844 have to say about the events THEY ATTENDED!!!

We welcome YOUR FEEDBACK too.

Feedback is posted below in separate posts for EACH participant.

Thanks,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

[Spring2025]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  REMINDER: Registration is required for all events.

I have posted the REGISTRATION link in each event post.

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Spring2025]

UPCOMING EVENTS!!!

*** This Thursday -  12/5/24 Name of Event: Coping With Complicated Grief!!! ***

[1] 2024 - December 11 & 17.

Name of Event - Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss in Joyful Times!!!

Name of Event: Why Men Grieve Differently and How to Support Them!!!

[2] 2025 - January.

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Spring2025]

♻️♻️♻️  I agree @MkK700720 !!!  👍

[MkK700720]

I would encourage people to try to attend these events. Led by certified grief counselors. You are bound to hear something that will help. Sometimes we get stuck in an aspect of these changes in our lives. The familiar is gone. However it's possible to make a new familiar. And so we start from there. Like millions of people before us. Time takes time. 

[Spring2025]

You are welcome MC @mc6844   🤗🤗🤗

---

[*** MC wrote: Thank you Nicole. ***]

[mc6844]

Thank you Nicole.

[Spring2025]

MC @mc6844 wrote on Thursday 11/7/24:

I attended the event today - finding meaning in loss. I found out some information about grief I wasn't aware. One was looking for the familiar no longer there. Acceptance is what we get from that. I think acceptance is a back and forth type of thing, not easy to attain.         

Also, It becomes necessary to recognize how grief impacts our lives. That out own journeys are important too. And not to worry how others perceive us, if something doesn't have to be done today or tomorrow, that's fine.

I think people will definitely hear something that will help in an area they feel stuck. For instance, the moderator said he was certain he saw his deceased wife in the grocery store. He kept looking for her there. I kept buying groceries and cooking for two or more people for a year and a half. Wasn't good for my widow's budget either lol. Doing better with that now thank goodness.                       

Attending these events is a way to move forward. No worries about transportation and no cost. Most grief events are not.

[mc6844]

You're welcome! These events can give people hope. A light in the clouds 🌞

[Spring2025]

Hi Mala @MalaG229197 , the REGISTRATION LINKS are included in EVENT POSTS.

As of now, we have 4 events posted.

I will ADD December when AARP posts them.

Thanks for asking!!!

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

---

[*** MALA wrote:

how to register? ***]

[MalaG229197]

how to register?

[Spring2025]

You are welcome @cb54357578 . There is an email address with the event information for the Texas AARP branch who is hosting this event. Maybe they may have some options for you IF you cannot attend the 10/17/24 session. Good Luck, Luv Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

---

[*** CB wrote: Was worth asking because many times presenters do provide the video. I'll stay registered in case something changes later this week. 

Many thanks to you, Nicole! ***]

[cb54357578]

Right after I registered, I remembered that I have a conflict and I don't think I'll be able to attend. Is the video made available afterwards?

[Spring2025]

Hi @cb54357578 , unfortunately it is not. I am so sorry!!!

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

---

[*** CB wrote: Right after I registered, I remembered that I have a conflict and I don't think I'll be able to attend. Is the video made available afterwards? ***]

---

[cb54357578]

Was worth asking because many times presenters do provide the video. I'll stay registered in case something changes later this week. 

Many thanks to you, Nicole!

[Spring2025]

Hi Benjamin @BenjaminM550041 , I am here IF you need any help with any of these events.

I am SO GLAD you stopped by!!!

Sorry about your loss.

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗