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]

🇺🇲    On Memorial Day, many families across the U.S. will remember the lives of their loved ones who made the ultimate SACRIFICE while serving in the MILITARY.

*** I am SO SORRY for YOUR loss!!! 😞

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

[WebWiseWoman]

Nicole, it's not just U.S. families, but citizens around the world who have lost loved ones/family... It needs to recognized that others are being lost every day to wars, many recent, with our U.S. hands involved...

5th generation military family here...

denese

[NonieS198048]

I am approaching 84. Six months ago I lost my oldest son. Since then, I have done some brief support groups. I was in good health on my age. But all of a sudden, I am faced with a cluster of disturbing physical conditions. I feel like a century since my son died. I want to be in a group to just talk about it.

[agoyer]

@NonieS198048 

 I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can't image how it must feel to lose your son right now. It's a shock and it must feel like your safety net has been pulled away in some ways. The grief and missing him is so intense I'm sure. Grief is hard on us on every level - mentally, physically, emotionally. And it affects our health. That may be a factor in terms of our recent challenges with multiple physcal conditions. 

I'm glad to hear you've done some brief stints in grief support, and I agree it could be extremely helpful for you to be in an ongoing group to to get support and and be able to talk about what you're going through. 

Unfortunately, AARP doesn't currently offer a grief support group - just the online grief community here on the AARP Online Community. But I think a virtual or in person group could be marvelous for you. 

Now - to find one...here are a few options off the top of my head...

• I am currently coordinating virtual AARP caregiver support groups and we are using a platform called HeyPeers. I did a search and they have a number of grief and bereavement support groups. You can find them listed here: https://www.heypeers.com/meetings. On the right side of the screen, you'll see categories. Check the box for "Grief and Loss" and then it will filter all the groups for those that offer grief support. they are offered (free I think - at least some of them) and you can subscribe and register for them there by clicking on a specific group meeting then you will be able to sign up for multipe meetings. these meetings are virtual - so you'll need to use your computer or smartphone.But I have found that the virtual groups are incredibly helpul and effective .
• Another virtual option are groups offered by Duet - an organization in Phoenix, Arizona but they are open to people across the country. I have personal experience with this organizaion and have observed their groups and they are good quality. Here is the link: https://duetaz.org/support-groups/ (they are geared for people who have formerly been caregivers for loved ones). 
• There is an organization called GriefShare. they do virtual and in person support groups. They work with a network of faith-based organizations across the country to "host" the meetings, but my understanding is tthat you need not be a member of a specific faith group to participate. it is a multiple week program. I know people who have attended and found it helpful. https://www.griefshare.org/?srsltid=AfmBOor1cPdC8AwLfOVidaDduZDCXEr9gUpWpJYmFAnaGkfzTpjzPyjv
• Last option I want to share is to contact a local hospice organization and/or funeral home and ask if they have a list of local grief support groups. They often have a list of organizations you can contact. 

Also please be aware there is a section of the AARP website with Grief and Loss resources and articles that might be helpful to you at: www.AARP.org/griefandloss 

I hope between all of these options you can find a good fit for you. 

Please let me know how else I can be helpful! My heart goes out to you. there are caring people out there who can support and helpful. We juist need to get you connected. Isolation is bad for your health - not just mental health - physical health too. Let's get you connected! 

One day at a time. 😍

Take care,

Amy  

[PaulW643687]

Would like to join this group husband passed away 2 months ago

[SummerOnTheWay1]

1 step at a time!!!

[mc6844]

I am back here at this wonderful group. It's been 3 yrs for me. I've been wanting to move. Except don't feel physically up to it. I'm looking into other options. I remember everyone from the group and hope both old and new are finding hope and help. Thank you for all your support along the way. It's easy to drop in here, no appointments etc.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎   Dear MC @mc6844 , you have stopped by over the YEARS to support us!!! Thank you SO MUCH 💛🤗

[mc6844]

Thank you! I care about you all too.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎   A caring group indeed 🤗💛

[mc6844]

That's 🙂 nice! 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎 [Tuesday 4/14/26]

So you have a birthday soon Joe @JoeJ415665 !!! Getting older does make us "wiser" about life in some cases. It took "retiring" for me to get things set up. Now I can RELAX & enjoy the rest of my time here.

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

[JoeJ415665]

 Glad you can relax now and do good work!!!

Luv,

Joe

[JoeJ415665]

 That birthday thing just slipped out. 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

1 step at a time!!!

[JoeJ415665]

 Good advice, as always, Nicole!!

In the past two years I made a new will, executor, power of attorney for both personal and medical situations. I even created my obituary because no one knows my life better than me (sad to say). I'm 78 and will be 79 in 13 days. It's never too early to plan. You can enter the pearly gates worry free and those left behind will thank you.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎 [Tuesday 4/14/26]

Lol, don't kick yourself too hard Joe @JoeJ415665 !!!

We all have "seasons" in our journey and like the weather "ours" change.

You will FINISH your book.

Sounds like a "change" just took place for you = getting back to YOUR book.

Yes, please stop by when you can dear friend.

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

[JoeJ415665]

 I'll try to limit the kicking; however, my butt is pretty sore now. 😉

Joe

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎 [Monday 4/13/26]

Dear Joe @JoeJ415665 , we are totally honored to have you with us.

Keep stopping by to see us.

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

[JoeJ415665]

 Good morning, Nicole,

Thanks for the kind words. I can't remember the last time, if ever, I was considered "honored".

I will stop by from time-to-time. At present I'm kicking myself for being delinquent in completing my first children's book. 0ver 140 pages containing over 21,000 words. Not a toddler's book.

Take care, hear from me soon!!

 Luv,

Joe

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [Monday 4/13/26]

Joe @JoeJ415665 , MC @mc6844 - please keep OUR Michelle @MichelleC103656 in your thoughts. OUR dear friend has just lost her 6-year old granddaughter.  😭

I just cannot understand WHY people CANNOT "slow down" - drive carefully.

My heart goes out to you Michelle.

And you know you have a place to be as needed. Yes, with us.

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

[JoeJ415665]

 Thanks, Nicole for sharing.

I've already had a conversation with the BIG GUY.

Nothing tears at me more than innocence taken so young.

 Joe

[SummerOnTheWay1]

1 step at a time!!!

[JoeJ415665]

 The night before my mom passed in 1975, my phone (land line) rang at exactly 2am. 

 When I answered there was a conversation taking place on the other end in a language I didn't understand. I hung up and went back to sleep.

 The next day around noon I found my mom still in bed and not breathing. 

 One year to the day the phone rang at 2am. Same conversation on the other end. 

 Then one day in 2010, some 34 years later, my cell phone rang. When I answered there was that same conversation on the other end. I hung up and just sat there for the longest time. Then, it occurred to me that day's date was May 23. My mom's birthday. 

[JoeJ415665]

 When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

1 step at a time!!!

[JoeJ415665]

 Good advice, Nicole!

There is no clock for grief. Look in the mirror, you're stronger than you think or feel!!

[JoeJ415665]

 If I may, I'd like to add a few words.

My mother passed in 1975, in her sleep and I was the one who found her. It was a heart attack. She was 52.

 My dad was a wreck; I had to do the legwork of setting up the funeral. The circumstances dictated it.

 I was pretty much a wreck myself. However, in the weeks that followed, no one asked me if I was okay, seeing as I was the one who found her and felt her cold neck when I checked her.

 It took a long time for me to get close to normal.

 What I realized later is that I need to be with people I loved and trusted. The person has to have both. I found out that grief in a person is unique and personal. People kept telling me it was time to move on. I'm sure they meant well, however, I found that no one could tell me when to move on. Only I would know when the time was. I found that time when I had peace in my heart. It took a while.

 I miss my mom every day. I cry a tear for her every day. After her passing she contacted me three times. Not again for many years. I don't mean for that to sound eerie or creepy. Just fact.

 Thanks.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [Friday 3/20/26]

Dear Michelle @MichelleC103656 , I know you MISS HER SO MUCH dear friend!!!  😞

Yes, those "tears" pop up when we THINK/TALK about them.

Know that she is looking down at you RIGHT NOW. Proud of you for "trying" to MOVE FORWARD the best you can.

Some days/nights, all I do is cry.

Other times, the "tears" are NOT there, but I so MISS him SO MUCH.

Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by my friend.

Luv,

Nicole  💛🤗

[MichelleC103656]

You are always such a bright spot in my day. So many of us appreciate everything about you. I just read your message, and now,I am crying happy tears. It is cool and raining here in New York today. It is a good day to feel sad. My sister Debbie and I talk about having days and nights where we just can't stop crying. We miss our parents so much. I always tell her that we were lucky to have them in our lives for such a long time. Other people are not so lucky. It is getting to be one of those days. I try to stop crying and then start again. Easter is in 2 weeks,and holidays were so important to my parents. Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays make us miss our lost loved ones that much more. Thank you for your kind words and support, Nicole. I am so glad that we made a connection. I just blew my nose and wiped my eyes. I am going to go downstairs and have some coffee and a little snack. Thank you SO MUCH for being so helpful and nice. Talk to you again real soon!  Hugs and Luv to you and Mister!  🤗🐈