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]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌     Because you are GRIEVING you may "feel" unable to "reply" to (support) ANOTHER GRIEVER here in the AARP Grief & Loss Forum.

But doing so (replying) has helped ALL of OUR GROUP members "feel" more in control of THEIR GRIEF.

Why?

Maybe because being a GRIEVER themselves = they know what TO SAY = comforting someone else "fills" THEIR INSIDES with "feeling" they have HELPED someone.

Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by when you can.

Grief & Loss Team!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌🕯‌‌‌  If you have lost someone, HONORING their memory may help you process your emotions.

You can try:

(1) Collecting photos or keepsakes.

(2) Writing a letter to the person who died.

(3) Sharing stories and rituals with loved ones.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

About the AARP Grief & Loss Forum!!!

A dedicated, public forum where members SHARE personal stories, find DAILY encouragement, and CONNECT with others navigating SIMILAR losses.

[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]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   WELCOME!!!

While WE cannot bring back YOUR luv one, we do UNDERSTAND. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Why?

We too have lost luv ones and together we have "muddled" through the best we can.

Our Welcome Mat is ALWAYS there for YOU my friend.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[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 ‌💛‌‌🤗‌

[RobertD381092]

I don't go to bed until I'm really "spent."  So I usually fall asleep fairly quickly.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

✅️  Robert @RobertD381092 thank you SO MUCH for "participating" in Our Group Discussion!!

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

---

➡️[*** ROBERT @RobertD381092 wrote:

I don't go to bed until I'm really "spent."  So I usually fall asleep fairly quickly.

---

[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]

🪧    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.

[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]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🕯‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  DECISIONS that often cause people distress!!!

*** Please "take your time" with these decisions & deal with life the "best" YOU CAN. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

(1) When to SORT through their loved one's belongings.

(2) Whether or not to take OFF their wedding ring.

(3) When to RETURN to work.

(4) How often to VISIT the cemetery.

(5) Whether or not to SELL or move.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

ABOUT OUR GROUP!!!

Peer SUPPORT: Connect with others in similar situations on the AARP Grief & Loss Forum, an active online community where members share stories and offer MUTUAL COMFORT.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌❌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌️    Myth:

Grieving should last about a YEAR.

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌✅‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌️    Fact:

There is NO specific time frame for grieving. How long it takes DIFFERS from person to person.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   Did YOU take a step TODAY/TONIGHT? Tell us about YOUR STEP!!!

Sometimes it maybe a half a step (not quite where we hoped to be, but you TRIED). ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Those half steps do "help" with moving past your grief = finding peace & comfort.

*** EVERYONE'S step will be DIFFERENT. For some of us, just "getting" out of bed is a CHALLENGE. Celebrate that step when YOU DO!!! And keep on "stepping" IF you can into a DAY/NIGHT FULL OF "possible" comfort & peace. You got this my friend!!! ‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[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]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🎵‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🎶‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    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".

[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]

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

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌    Did YOU take a step today/tonight? Stop by to tell us about YOUR step(s).

‌‌‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌‌‌[*** Keep stepping to a NEW life everyone. One we will ALWAYS "miss & remember" the people we lost - but HONORING them with seeking ways to MOVE FORWARD.

You got this my friends!!!

Luv,

Nicole (Grief Forum) ‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌📜‌‌    “Never. We never lose our loved ones. They accompany us; they don’t disappear from our lives. We are merely in different rooms.” PAULO COELHO.

[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]

‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌   WE are sending LOTS of "hugs" your way just in case you NEED them "right" now!!!

Grief & Loss Team!