WE ARE SORRY for 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]

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

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌♻️‌‌    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]

‌❌‌‌‌️   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.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌♻️‌‌   Stop by to SHARE YOUR JOURNEY!!!

WE will ALWAYS leave a comment in response to YOUR POST. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Sharing "may" HELP with our healing and "may" also HELP another griever who stops by = members supporting members.

*** They will KNOW there are OTHERS out there and "may" find YOUR solutions to YOUR grief works for them. Thank you for CARING about others. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌🤗‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌📌‌   Make a MEMORY blanket, teddy or cushions out of YOUR loved ones’ clothes.

*** Something to "snuggle" up with on those "sleepless" nights or when the "tears" arrive. ‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

*** Try "snacking & sipping water" IF you are NOT able to consume a regular meal. Doing this "several" times during the day/night will help to keep you hydrated & well.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌👴‌‌‌‌‌‌👵‌‌‌   GRIEF in your 60s (and OLDER) often involves MULTIPLE losses. It may trigger depression or isolation, often mistaken for normal aging. COPING involves seeking support, finding NEW meaning, and maintaining CONNECTIONS.

*** Try to reach out to people who CARE about you. Let them know how YOU are "feeling". Maybe "join" activities at your local Senior Center. Or volunteer with animals.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

OUR LIFE SEASONS [a time of changes]!!!

Just like the WEATHER has seasons, so do WE.

(1) There is a season to lay low & heal WHILE we "recover" from OUR LOSS. Yes, a VERY ROUGH season indeed.

(2) There is a season to "maybe" WELCOME our NEW life = accepting our loss & figuring out things. WE all have "different" times in the LAY LOW season. NEVER feel "guilty" for taking YOUR TIME with all this.

(3) There is a season I guess we can call it one where WE ARE FINALLY "smiling" again. Oh yes, that will happen when WE least expect it. Yes, WE will still have our "tears" but with TIME, we will be ABLE to find some PEACE in the midst of our grieving.

(4) Last season, I guess it is one where we are PACKING UP OUR OLD LIFE after making sure it is the right time to do so. WE always "need" to make sure WE are "moving on" in a way that WORKS FOR US. That may involve saying "goodbye" to an area we have loved and had MANY years in. Sometimes MOVING "closer" to OUR "support" (family) is what is best. On the other hand, some of us "choose" to STAY PUT. The important thing is to do things YOUR WAY.

Grief & Loss Team   ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌🤔‌‌‌‌‌ ‌  REMEMBER - on those days/nights when YOU wonder WHY you are still here???

*** YOU are still here for the folks who CARE ABOUT YOU!!!

(1) So get out of bed EVERY DAY, hug them, tell them you CARE.

(2) This way when YOU ARE GONE, mixed in with THEIR GRIEVING will be GOOD MEMORIES.

(3) Parents [I am one] OUR KIDS [even adults] need their ONE PARENT - you.

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌💡‌‌‌   PARENTS!

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)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

Allowing EMOTIONAL release: Cry, journal, talk, or use art to express feelings.

‌‌‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌‌‌[*** Sometimes we may feel we are on a Rollercoaster Ride. But like those rides, we will have "opportunities" to get off our ride. TREASURE those "opportunities" & know with time we will have MORE "peaceful" moments. ‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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]

Rushing or Ignoring Grief: Do not try to "be strong" or force yourself to get over it quickly. Grief has no timeline, and suppressing it can make it resurface later in destructive ways.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

Think in Cycles: Understand that grief is not linear. You may feel fine one day and terrible the next; this is normal, not a regression.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

ANTICIPATORY grief!

In this type of grief, you experience loss BEFORE it occurs. This can happen when you learn a loved one has a TERMINAL illness, for example.

*** My heart goes out to anyone dealing with this type of grief. In my opinion, next to an "unexpected" loss (like a car accident) - this is one of the WORST to deal with. ‌‌‌‌😞

[SummerOnTheWay1]

➡️‌‌‌‌‌‌[*** PLAN AHEAD for grief “triggers".

Anniversaries, holidays, and important milestones can reawaken painful memories and feelings. BE PREPARED for an emotional wallop, and know that it’s completely normal. You can plan ahead by making sure that you’re not alone, for example, or by marking your loss in a creative way.

[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]

📸[*** .gif attached] A hug for TODAY!!!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

👨‍👦‌   IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN, remember that they are grieving, too. It will take time for the whole family to adjust to life without your loved one. You may find that your relationship with your children and their relationships with each other have changed. OPEN, HONEST communication is important.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   Yes, YOU posted when YOU 1st lost someone YOU cared about.

But WE would luv to "hear" from you AGAIN!!!

OUR GROUP is about OUR journeys as WE "figure" out our NEXT step.

Sometimes WE stop by to SHARE some good news or a decision WE finally made.

And it is ALWAYS awesome when "Members Support Members" = YOU KNOW how you felt when you first lost someone. Thank you SO MUCH for our "supporters". There is something SPECIAL when we support others in the midst of OUR GRIEF.

So stop by, say hi and let us know how you are doing. WE are "family" here.

Grief  & Loss Team  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📸[.gif attached] On SOME days/nights, these help!!!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌💰‌‌‌‌   IT IS FREE!!!

Remember, LISTENING to someone costs ZERO and you have made that person feel wanted and cared for.

YES, we all receive the stuff that cost money (money, giftcards, flowers, condolence cards/notes) BUT I know how much being listened to has WARMED my insides!!!

So think of someone TODAY who may be NEEDING your ear...

Thanks,

Nicole ‌ ‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌🕯‌‌   Consider COUNSELING: A therapist or grief counselor can provide professional guidance.

(1) Some of us attended Group Supports online or in person.

(2) While others preferred the "privacy" of Individual Counseling.

*** Choose what works for YOU!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📸[*** .gif attached] WE are sending these YOUR way!

[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]

📸[*** .gif attached] Sending a HUG your way my friend 🤗💛

[SummerOnTheWay1]

Live ONE day at a time!

(1) Set a regular daily routine and do something SPECIAL for yourself EVERY day.

(2) Try to go for a walk, meditate and do something relaxing.

(3) It’s a good idea to avoid making any major decisions for about a year after the death of someone you love.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

COPING Strategies!

(1) Support: Lean on friends, family, or support groups.

(2) Self-Care: Maintain a routine, eat healthily, and get rest.

(3) Professional Help: Seek counseling if grief feels overwhelming.

(4) 3 C's: Choose (to heal), Connect (with others), and Communicate (your needs).