WE ARE SORRY for your loss 💛

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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  🤗

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📸[*** Attachment] Something "special" for TODAY!!!

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🪧   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.

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📲   The "No Need to Respond" Text!

It's common for grievers to distance themselves from their phones on Mother's Day—devices where glossy social media ads about motherhood and photos of happy mothers and children can be overwhelming. Send a message with no pressure to reply. Even if your friend never responds, know that your reaching out means something to them.

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🥀  COPING Strategies for Mother's Day Grief!

(1) Give Yourself Permission: It is okay to feel sadness, anger, jealousy, or numbness, and it is okay to not celebrate the day.

(2) Set Boundaries: Consider a "digital detox" by staying off social media to avoid triggering posts. You can also skip family gatherings if they are too overwhelming.

(3) Create New Traditions: Instead of participating in traditional festivities, honor the day by doing something special for yourself or in memory of your loved one, such as visiting a favorite place, engaging in a hobby, or cooking a favorite meal.

(4) Acknowledge the Loss: For many, acknowledging the grief rather than fighting it is most helpful. This may include visiting a cemetery, looking at photos, or writing a letter to a loved one.

(5) Seek Connection: Reach out to a trusted friend or family member for support, especially one who understands your situation.

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

(1) WE are ALWAYS here to "listen".

(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 have "experienced" loss too = WE UNDERSTAND & SUPPORT EACH GROUP MEMBER.

Grief & Loss Team  ‌🤗‌

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📸[*** .gif attached] YOU are in OUR thoughts!

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‌‌‌🤗‌‌   SIGNS from love ones!

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!

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🎵‌🎶     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".

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📸[*** Attachment] YOU are in OUR thoughts!

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‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌   What are YOU dealing with at THE MOMENT? ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

NEVER feel ashamed about any challenges you are facing.

WE ALL will have them at some point of our lives.

*** Stop by to SHARE when you feel up to it and/or SUPPORT another griever (with a comment to their post). Members helping members. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

We are ALWAYS here IF you need us.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌ ‌‌🤗‌

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You’ve probably heard someone mention the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and, finally, acceptance. While it can be comforting to know that grief comes with a roadmap of sorts, the lines of these stages are often blurred.

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Everyone’s experience is unique. The so-called stages aren’t linear; we may move from anger to denial and back again before fully moving forward.

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There’s no timetable for grief … but the more you can talk about your loss, the more you’ll be able to process it and move forward.

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‌‌🐈‌‌‌‌    CAT OWNERS, our babies are "missing" our luv one just as much as we are.

So try to make some EXTRA time to "cuddle" with them.

TOGETHER you will BOTH "move" forward the best you can.

*** Mister, my cat along with my "only" child (a daughter in a different state from me) are MY REASONS for "creating" ways to MOVE FORWARD. Find yours!!!

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‌‌🐕‌‌‌‌    DOG OWNERS, a "daily" walk will help BOTH of you with "missing" your luv one. Yes, pets do "grieve" like we do.

And the "exercise" will aid with sleeping at nights.

*** A GREAT way to "connect" with OTHER dog owners & "possible" NEW friends.

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🚗🚘    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.

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At what AGE is grief the hardest? Children under 5 years old!

‌➡️‌[*** Children under the age of five will NOT understand the finality of death. Very young children often think that death is reversible and that their person who died CAN COME BACK.

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📸[*** .gif attached] Sending these YOUR way!!!

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♻️‌    Stop by when YOU CAN to ENCOURAGE OTHERS (respond to THEIR POST) or ASK FOR SOME encouragement for YOURSELF.

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

Grief & Loss Team ‌🤗‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌🕯‌‌‌‌‌  DECISIONS that often cause people distress include:

(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.

*** Take your time with decisions. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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HOLIDAY Grief: Tips for managing grief during holidays include giving yourself permission to skip traditions and accepting your feelings.

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CAREGIVER Grief: Resources are available for caregivers dealing with "ambiguous loss"—the emotional pain of losing a loved one's presence while still caring for them.

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MEN and Grief: Research shows men may suffer more intensely after losing a spouse, often requiring specific outreach and support.

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Find "Listening Posts": Seek out PATIENT friends or support groups who allow you to talk without trying to "fix" your pain.

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‌💡‌  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. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌‌‌‌📌‌‌‌‌‌   HEALING "may" come as you turn to a HIGHER POWER who has YOUR back.

*** Whatever you consider to be YOUR Higher Power. Some may say God. Or the Universe. Or something else. ‌ ‌‌

1. Take time today to get quiet and connect. Focus on your breathing.

2. Let yourself soak in Divine Peace. Give over all the fears.

3. Ask questions in a positive way:

"What will it take for me to.....?"

"How can I solve this in the best way?"

"Who can help me figure this out?"

4. Pay attention and take action.

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

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‌‌👖‌‌‌‌‌‌👕‌‌‌     When YOU feel READY, go through your loved one’s clothes and other personal items.

(1) Instead of parting with everything at once, you might make three piles: one to keep, one to give away, and one “not sure.” Ask your children or others to help.

(2) Think about setting aside items such as a special piece of clothing, watch, favorite book, or picture to give to your children or grandchildren as personal reminders of your loved one.

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Guess what? ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤔‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

WE made it through ANOTHER day/night!!!

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

Luv,

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ (Grief Forum)