WE ARE SORRY about your loss 💛

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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  🤗

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌🕯‌   Expand While GRIEVING: Eventually, you will reach a point where you can imagine a future that brings you excitement and joy again. This involves growing into new dreams and finding meaning in your altered life trajectory. 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

OUR GROUP DISCUSSION!!!

What helps you on those SLEEPLESS nights? 🤔

👣   Keep stepping my friends = WE will get MORE SLEEP as time passes I promise.

➡️[*** Me, lighting an AROMATIC "Bath & Body Works" candle is one option.

Then "blow it out" when I BEGIN to feel sleepy.

I also GET OUT OF BED & find something to "read" or do (chores,AARP Rewards Activities).

Then CLIMB BACK INTO BED when I get "sleepy".

The MORNINGS are the "worst" after one of these nights IF I have to be somewhere.

It is like MY ALARM GOES OFF just when I start my zzz's.

Those mornings are a "test" of my determination to get things done IN SPITE of being TOTALLY EXHAUSTED.

Nicole 💛🤗

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌📍‌   Build While GRIEVING: Slowly create a new daily routine. Reclaiming your independence by tackling tasks your spouse used to do—such as cooking, handling finances, or learning DIY skills—can help rebuild your self-esteem and self-trust. 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

LIVE IN THE MOMENT while grieving!!!

Right now is your chance to take 1 step towards MOVING FORWARD in "creating" a new life WITHOUT your luv one.

Yes, it hurts.

Yes, we maybe angry.

Yes, we have NO idea what the FUTURE holds for us as we travel through our GRIEF.

But RIGHT NOW, is an "opportunity" to either "give up" or continue to travel.

You got this my friend. ‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌ (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌📜‌‌   "Whoever said that loss gets EASIER with time was a liar. Here's what really happens: The spaces between the times you miss them grow LONGER. Then, when you do remember to miss them again, it's still with a stabbing PAIN to the heart. And you have GUILT. Guilt because it's been too long since you missed them last." KRISTIN O'DONNELL TUBB.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

FOR FOLKS (grieving) ON MEDICARE!!!

Sometimes Individual Counseling "helps" us to REGAIN some "control" of our lives as we TRY to survive our grief.

Medicare covered MONTHLY sessions for me for as long as needed.

Just make sure your PRIMARY doctor REFERS you & always CALL Medicare to make sure EVERYTHING will be covered.

We DONOT need any "surprise" bills to add to our stress.

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌📜‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   “Sometimes all YOU can do is lie in bed and hope to fall asleep before YOU fall apart.” WILLIAM C. HANNAN.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌👍‌‌   REMEMBER!!!

We will see our luv ones AGAIN.

Meanwhile, HONOR their "memory" with taking care of yourself (physically, mentally, emotionally).

Yes, WE MISS THEM EVERY DAY & NIGHT.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😞‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

They are WITH US ALWAYS, seeing our "efforts" and luving us.

You got this my friend!!!

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌📜‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    "We start ADAPTING to our new identity, our new life. I’m NOT saying the battle is over and here’s the new me. But a little at a time, we take on these CHANGES that give us more clarity of this new life."  FRANK COMPARATO.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👋‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌     "Online" Group WELLNESS CHECKS!!!

[1] WE check on Group Members "online" when WE have NOT heard from them "recently".

[2] WE do "understand" that there are days/nights WE donot feel like "chatting". That is part of OUR JOURNEY to "creating" a life without the person WE lost. ‌‌‌‌‌‌

[3] That is OKAY. Stop by when you do feel like letting us know HOW YOU ARE DOING. We fo care about you always. OUR WELCOME MAT IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE OUR DOOR.

[4] There is NO limit to how long you are a part of this group. Some of us have been participating for YEARS = asking for support & giving support. ‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌

[5] And we have with us TWO "wonderful" AARP Experts (Amy @agoyer & Jane @JaneCares ) who stop by to offer their words of wisdom for our situations (we post).

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌📜‌‌    Grief is a most peculiar thing; we’re so helpless in the face of it.

It’s like a window that will simply open of its own accord.

The room grows cold, and we can do nothing but shiver.

But it opens a little less each time, and a little less; and one day we wonder what has become of it. ARTHUR GOLDEN.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    Stop by when YOU CAN to ENCOURAGE OTHERS (respond to THEIR POST) who are grieving.

Or ASK FOR SOME encouragement for YOURSELF during your grief.

WE ALL have days/nights when we need this!!!

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

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌📋‌‌‌‌   Here's Everything You Need to Do When a Loved One Dies (AARP Article)

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/family-relationships/when-loved-one-dies-checklist/

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📜   When you experience loss, people say you’ll move through the 5 stages of grief.
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. What they don’t tell you is that you’ll cycle through them all every day. RANATA SUZUKI.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🪔   Explore While GRIEVING: When you feel ready, start experimenting with new experiences or routines without pressuring yourself. Treat this as a time to see what fits your new reality. 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   ARE YOU NEW TO OUR FORUM [Grief & Loss]? ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤔‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[1] You can either create a NEW POST or JOIN another post created by another member to share YOUR JOURNEY.

[2] IF you need help with anything on THIS SITE, you can "reply" to this post or send me a PM (AARP Private Message).

[3] WE have ALL been "new" at some point & this site can be a "challenge" to use.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🪧   Stabilization While GRIEVING: In the early stages, focus on simple survival. Eat regularly, stay hydrated, and try to get enough rest. Do not rush to make major life changes, clear out belongings, or make hasty financial decisions. 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    Well guys, WE MADE it thru another day/night!!!

Tomorrow holds "possibilities" of PEACE & HOPE.

Never give up on MOVING FORWARD.

You got this!!!

Luv,

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   Feeling LONELY with the passing of someone you CARED about?

(1) WE are ALWAYS here to "listen, support, chat".

(2) Different TIME ZONES means someone is "available" 24/7.

(3) And our AARP Experts Amy @agoyer & Jane @JaneCares have SUPPORTED us throughout the years.

Have a QUESTION for them - ask away!!!

(4) Keep in mind Group Members & AARP Experts have "experienced" loss TOO = WE UNDERSTAND & SUPPORT EACH GROUP MEMBER.

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌[***Members & AARP Experts helping OTHER members. ***]‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌⬅️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Grief & Loss Team  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌     SIGNS from love ones we lost!!!

A source of COMFORT on those days/nights when we NEED IT.

(1) Timing: SIGNS often appear when they are most needed, such as on anniversaries, birthdays, or in moments of distress, according to a blogger at O'Connor Mortuary.

(2) Intuition: They are described as giving a sense of peace, love, or comfort, rather than fear.

(3) Directness: They often feel too specific to be coincidences, appearing personal to the relationship you shared.

*** When we get "quiet" (relax, meditate) & "believe" - they will contact us! ‌👍‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌💡‌   PREDICTABLE losses – like those due to terminal illness – sometimes allow more time to prepare for the loss. However, they carry two layers of grief: the grief related to the anticipation of the loss and the grief related to the final loss. The length of the grief process is different for everyone. There is no predictable schedule for grief. *** Do the "best" you can. Know that with "time" things will BEGIN to fall in place for you. 🤗

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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. ***]‌‌‌‌‌⬅️‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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 ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌🕯‌   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. 🤗

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🪔    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 ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌🗣‌‌   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. ‌‌👍‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🚗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🚘‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    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.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   "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 ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌💻‌   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.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌😞‌‌  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 ‌🤗‌‌💛‌