WE ARE SORRY for your loss 💛

[Winter2025VA]

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  🤗

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  Did YOU take a step TODAY/TONIGHT?

A STEP will mean "different" things to each of us.

As long as WE KEEP STEPPING, that is all that counts.

And SIT as needed.

There is NO HURRY on our journey and as we are KIND to ourselves (forgive ourselves on those days we DONOT step), we will get stronger and more determined.

Cry as needed.

Get angry as needed.

And so on.

OUR EMOTIONS are a part of US and through them WE will someday be able to LOOK BACK and BE PROUD of how far we have come.

BE YOURSELF always.

Never compare yourself to others as everyone has to do this journey THEIR WAY.

YOU got this!!!  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌🏡‌‌‌‌‌  The experts tell us to WAIT before making Housing Decisions!!!

Why?

While WE ARE GRIEVING, sometimes we tend to make "decisions" based on OUR EMOTIONS.

We want the "memories" to NOT hurt!!!

Maybe "step away" from YOUR Housing Setup & stay with family/friends.

Use THIS TIME to deal with the stuff that CANNOT WAIT.

Then REVISIT the Housing Topic.

Some of us stayed put & made changes.

Some of us downsized as finances had changed.

Some of us relocated to be near to family.

DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU ALWAYS.

The Grief Team  ‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌

[Winter2025VA]

‌📥‌  GROUP DISCUSSION!!!

What SUPPORT is/has "helping" you?

I did a 4-month Individual Counseling (2025 - July to October) that Medicare covers. We get a MONTHLY SESSION for however long we need them. Four was all I needed.

[1] There are Group Support Groups online & in person. Most are FREE.

[2] Churches & non-profits have regular "resources" available. You DONOT have to pay.

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  Sometimes in life WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACKWARD.

Why?

WE may have thought we had a SOLUTION to an "issue" or met someone "new" only to find it IT WAS NOT A FIT.

It is okay. You got out there dear friend(s) INSTEAD OF STAYING IN BED sleeping your life away.

It is OKAY to "step backwards" to REGROUP & TRY AGAIN when you are ready.

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👋‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  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  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[Winter2025VA]

Guess what?  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤔‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

WE made it through ANOTHER day/night!!!

And yes, maybe a little bruised but WE DID IT.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💡‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  A Suggestion!!!

Explore YOUR area to find spots that may bring you COMFORT.

Some of us DREAD the old familiar hangouts we had with our luv ones.

Maybe one day WE will be able to visit them WITHOUT tears. But until then, EACH day maybe "act" like a TOURIST.

SO MANY possibilities out there.

SO MANY new friends to meet.

You got this!!!  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)‌

[Winter2025VA]

💡  Any grieving out there?

What has "helped" me on MY JOURNEY is this group.

Members helping members!!!

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    Please stop by when YOU can to "respond" to a GRIEVER's POST. We have ALL lost people we cared about.

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌  My friends, KNOW that with "time" WE WILL have MORE "peaceful" moments.

Do what NEEDS TO BE DONE (funeral arrangements, eat, sleep, stay hydrated, pay bills and so on) & let the OTHER stuff WAIT until you are READY to deal with them (declutter, move or not to move and so on).

YOU GOT THIS!!!

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤐‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  I believe IF we get "quiet & relaxed" WE WILL FEEL the presence of the folks we lost.  ‌‌‌

But you have to BELIEVE this will happen for it to happen.

*** Stop by when you can [feel up to it] to TELL us about your QUIET TIMES. ***

It maybe just laying in bed & thinking of them.

Or being out & about and notice something that YOU KNOW is from them. My favorite is the "gentle" breeze when I pass by a tree. My comfort!

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

Feel free to ADD quotes to this post.

‌➡️‌[*** AI Overview!

Quotes about grief offer comfort and perspective, often focusing on how grief is the price of love, how it changes over time, and how love continues to exist beyond loss.

On love and loss.

[1] "Grief is the price we pay for love." - Queen Elizabeth II.

[2] "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell.

[3] "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." - Unknown.

[4] "Those we love don\'t go away, they walk beside us every day." - Unknown.

[5] "To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us protection forever." - J.K. Rowling.

[Winter2025VA]

‌📥‌  GROUP DISCUSSION!!!

What helps you while at home alone and thinking too much about the "void" you are feeling (missing person you "care" about)?

‌➡️‌[*** ME. Usually I am NOT a "radio" person, but had heard of others using it to get through the "silence" (person NO longer there to talk to).

Well, it is working!

Sometimes I "listen" to a song or program. May even "smile or dance".

Other times, it is just "background" noise.

[Winter2025VA]

🦃  Do you have any PLANS for Thanksgiving 2025?

Me, NOPE - NOT "feeling" thankful!!!

AARP Expert Amy @agoyer has some TIPS for us for Thanksgiving. AARP Expert Jane @JaneCares , we welcome your tips too.  ‌‌🤗‌‌

ARTICLE TITLE - 9 Tips for Dealing With Grief and Loss Over the Holidays (AARP Article)

FROM THE ARTICLE.

By Amy Goyer, AARP.

Published December 11, 2020. Updated November 30, 2023.

Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deep and difficult challenge at any time. The holiday season can magnify our sense of loss and sorrow. Seasonal events can be painful reminders of the absence of loved ones. At the same time, they can also be comforting rituals where we connect with family and friends, focusing on good memories and trying to recapture our sense of joy.

If you are mourning the loss of loved ones this season, keep these things in mind.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/family-relationships/grief-loss-during-holidays/

[Winter2025VA]

📸[.gif attached] Thought YOU may need one of these!!!

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  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] Lol, we have ALL been "new" at some point & this site can be a "challenge" to use.

[4] Our two wonderful AARP Experts Jane @JaneCares & Amy @agoyer are ALWAYS available to support you. Thank you BOTH for stopping by our forum as needed.

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  One step may mean making sure YOU EAT today.

Sometimes OUR interest in food is gone along with the energy to face EACH day.

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💡‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  A Suggestion!!!

For those of us who are parenting on OUR OWN, remember no matter how old our children are - THEY NEED US.

So take care of yourself (medical appointments, sleep, eat, hydrate and so on) FOR THEM.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

[Attachment] I am SO SORRY for YOUR loss!!!

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👥‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  It is OKAY to "hide" on those days/nights when YOU FEEL unable to deal with people.

With time YOU WILL be able to get out, spend time with family/friends.

Just let THEM KNOW and those who REALLY CARE will "respect" this much needed "time away" = they will still REACH OUT, but with NO pressure to see them (or talk to them).

I luv those THINKING ABOUT YOU texts from caring folks in my life.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)‌‌

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  Pat yourself on your back EVERY time you get out of bed.

Why?

This is the 1st step to starting a DAY full of "possibilities" IF we are open to them.

Possible peace.

Possible hope.

And so on...

Grief & Loss Team  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  Just For Today - You tackled a "chore" you have been putting off.

So many times we may feel "overwhelmed" with OUR GRIEF = hard to get those chores done each day/night.

Hey, you DID ONE JUST NOW!!!

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief & Loss Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👀‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  Reading what OTHERS have posted have been a "source" of comfort on those "rough" days & nights.

Maybe doing the SAME thing might be a comfort to YOU too.

Why?

THEIR posts "remind" me that I AM NOT ALONE on this journey.

TOGETHER we will "survive & get stronger".

Thank you for posting & encouraging OTHERS with a "response" to their posts.

Members helping members!!!

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  Welcome EACH day/night with an "open" mind = READY to take a step or maybe not.

WE ALL have days/nights when all we want to do is "sit" & NOT DO ANYTHING. And that is fine my friend(s).

Take that day/night off & deal with TOMORROW when it gets here.

Grief & Loss Team  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💤‌‌‌‌  NOT Sleeping At Nights?

Try to "nap" during the day.

Why?

Even a FEW MINUTES of "shut eye" will help with YOUR sadness.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

🔚  Michelle @MichelleC103656 , I am heading offline but "available" IF you need me dear friend.

Luv to those darling furbabies of yours from Mister  🐈🐈🐈🐈

Nicole 💛 

[MichelleC103656]

Thank you, Nicole. We are just trying to get through each day. I appreciate your kind words. Luv to you and Mister.💌🐈

[Winter2025VA]

🕯  TODAY is "your" day and you are in my thoughts dear friend!!!

@jbar4650 ,

@sandyslaga SANDY,

@JamesK492722 JAMES,

@mc6844 MC,

@LaurelH1933 LAUREL,

@dw53874168 ,

@MichelleC103656 MICHELLE,

@CeciliaH401383 CECILIA.

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)