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 Team  🤗

[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]

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

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

There's no right or wrong way to grieve or to understand loss. How you grieve can be affected by many things. These include your:

[1] Culture or background.

[2] Religious or spiritual beliefs.

[3] Relationship to the person who has died.

[4] Current circumstances.

[5] Mental health.

[6] Previous experiences of grief.

[Winter2025VA]

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.

[Winter2025VA]

🕯  "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." — Helen Keller. 

[Winter2025VA]

AARP has deleted a member's post which has left this post as an orphan. AARP Darryl @DarrylL35959 , please delete this orphan post. I cannot since you replied to it. Thanks, Nicole 💛 

[Winter2025VA]

"Death ends a life, not a relationship." — Anonymous. 

[Winter2025VA]

"Grief is the last act of love we can give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was great love." — Anonymous. 

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

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  ONE STEP may mean making sure YOU EAT today/tonight.

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

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]

Myth:

The pain will go away faster if you ignore it

Fact:

Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing, it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it.

[Winter2025VA]

Myth:

It’s important to “be strong” in the face of loss.

Fact:

Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. You don’t need to “protect” your family or friends by putting on a brave front. Showing your true feelings can help them and you.

[Winter2025VA]

Myth:

If you don’t cry, it means you aren’t sorry about the loss.

Fact:

Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it’s not the only one. Those who don’t cry may feel the pain just as deeply as others. They may simply have other ways of showing it.

[Winter2025VA]

Myth:

Moving on with your life means forgetting about your loss.

Fact:

Moving on means you’ve accepted your loss—but that’s not the same as forgetting. You can move on with your life and keep the memory of someone or something you lost as an important part of you. In fact, as we move through life, these memories can become more and more integral to defining the people we are.

[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 Team  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[thespina]

Hello would like to join this 

[Winter2025VA]

🕯  Welcome @thespina !!!

So glad you stopped by.

We share and support each other.

Do you want to tell us a little about yourself?

NO pressure at all.

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

YOU MAY EXPERIENCE.

[1] Denial: Difficulty believing the loss, often feeling numb or shocked, a temporary buffer.

[2] Anger: Frustration, rage, and "why me?" feelings directed at others, God, or the situation.

[3] Bargaining: Making deals or promises (often with a higher power) to undo the loss or ease the pain.

[4] Depression: Overwhelming sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness as the reality sinks in.

[5] Acceptance: Coming to terms with the new reality, finding peace, and learning to live with the loss, not necessarily liking it.

EVERYONE'S JOURNEY WILL BE UNIQUE.

Grief Team ‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌

[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 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]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    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]

Checkout these "Grief & Loss" AARP Articles. We have posted the LINKS to them in a "separate" post for EACH one.

Your comments are ALWAYS welcome & you may want to READ what other members had to say.

📸 Screenshot Attached.

[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.

Grief Team  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[Winter2025VA]

What to Remember!

[1] Grief is unique; not everyone experiences all symptoms.

[2] Symptoms can appear days, months, or years after the loss and can come and go.

[3] Physical symptoms can be a sign of stress hormones affecting the body.

[4] If symptoms feel overwhelming, persist, or lead to suicidal thoughts, seeking professional support is important.

[Winter2025VA]

What’s the difference between grief and depression?

Many of the symptoms of grief overlap with those of depression. There is sadness, and often the loss of capacity for pleasure; insomnia; and loss of interest in eating or taking care of oneself. But symptoms of grief tend to lessen over time, although they may be temporarily reactivated on anniversaries or when other reminders of a loss arise. While negative thoughts such as “life is unfair” and “I’ll never get over this” are part of the normal grieving process, it is important to prevent them from guiding your actions.

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌💛‌‌  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.

Grief Team ‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌

[Winter2025VA]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  Creating a NEW LIFE AFTER A LOSS is not easy, but we will ONE STEP AT A TIME.

Sometimes in life WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACKWARD.

Why?

WE may have thought we had a SOLUTION to an "issue" 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)