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]

‌‌🕯‌‌‌   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]

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).

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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

[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]

‌‌‌‌⛈‌‌‌‌️‌‌‌‌☃️‌‌‌‌     Sometimes the WEATHER can "affect" OUR MOODS & having a Plan B, C and so on "in place" for those NOT NICE weather days & nights is wisdom. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

We can for example, go OUTSIDE and "dance" in the rain. Yes, being a kid again. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😉‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Or light a fire & sip hot chocolate while we read.

Do whatever "uplifts" you on those DREARY rainy or cold days.

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌💤‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😴‌‌‌‌   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)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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

[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]

‌‌📌‌‌   It CHANGES You: Grief may alter your perspective on life, priorities, and beliefs.

*** Sometimes it "reminds" us to make time for the people we CARE about TODAY. Tomorrow is NOT "promised" to any of us.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌🚗‌‌‌‌🚘‌‌    Driving 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.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌   SOME of us have been MEMBERS of this group for YEARS.

Over the YEARS, we stop by "when we can" to SHARE and also to SUPPORT other members.

This group is NOT only about grief & loss - it is about ALL areas of our lives that have been "affected" by our loss.

Support that NEVER ends.

So stop by when you can to see us.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌💡‌‌‌  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. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🪔    On those days/nights when NOTHING brings you COMFORT, ask your HIGHER POWER (God, Universe, something else) for help. Then "trust" that this help will arrive! Grieving is a journey, not a destination & you are going to survive. One step at a time my friend. Nicole ‌💛‌‌🤗‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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

[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]

🕯‌‌ Be SPECIFIC: Tell people what you need (e.g., a hug, help with errands).

*** Yes, we DONOT want to be a "burden" but they want to HELP. ‌‌ 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

Set BOUNDARIES: You DO NOT have to attend EVERY barbecue or social gathering. Surround yourself only with people who allow you to EXPRESS your true feelings.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🏡‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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  & Loss Team  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌📜‌    "We start ADAPTING to our new identity, our new life. I’m NOT saying the battle is over and here’s the new me. But a little at a time, we take on these CHANGES that give us more clarity of this new life."  FRANK COMPARATO

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌👋‌   Monthly "Online" WELLNESS CHECKS!!!

[1] WE check on Group Members on the 1st of EACH month.

[2] WE do "understand" that there are days or nights WE donot feel like "chatting". That is part of OUR JOURNEY to "creating" a life without the person WE lost. ‌‌‌😭‌‌‌

[3] That is OKAY. Stop by when you do. OUR WELCOME MAT IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE OUR DOOR.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🪔   You might need to:

(1) Write a NEW will and UPDATE your advance care planning.

(2) Look into a durable power of attorney for legal matters and health care in case you are unable to make your own medical decisions in the future.

(3) Put JOINT property (such as a house or car) in your name.

(4) Consider changes you may need to make to your health insurance as well as to your life, car, and homeowner’s insurance.

(5) Make a list of BILLS you will need to pay in the next few months, for example, your rent or mortgage; utilities such as electricity, water, and phone and internet services; insurance; and state and federal taxes.

*** Try NOT to "stress" and take 1 step at a time!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🏞‌    JUST FOR TODAY - Take a walk or drive to somewhere beautiful. BOTH will remind YOU of nature & how nature SURVIVES no matter what. Wildlife ALSO lose luv ones but somehow NEVER give up. Hey, WE CAN DO THE SAME my friend(s). You got this!!! ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌🙁‌‌  DEPRESSION: In this stage, we begin to realize and feel the true extent of the death or loss. Common signs of depression in this stage include trouble sleeping, poor appetite, fatigue, lack of energy, and crying spells. We may also have self-pity and feel lonely, isolated, empty, lost, and anxious.

*** Maybe talking to a professional may help. But family and friends are okay too.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌♻️‌‌   Because you are GRIEVING you may "feel" unable to "reply" to (support) ANOTHER GRIEVER here in the AARP Grief & Loss Forum.

But doing so (replying) has helped ALL of OUR GROUP members "feel" more in control of THEIR GRIEF.

Why?

Maybe because being a GRIEVER themselves = they know what TO SAY = comforting someone else "fills" THEIR INSIDES with "feeling" they have HELPED someone.

Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by when you can.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌🤗‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

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

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌🙁‌‌   DEPRESSION: In this stage, WE begin to realize and feel the true extent of the death or loss. Common signs of depression in this stage include trouble sleeping, poor appetite, fatigue, lack of energy, and crying spells. WE may also have self-pity and feel lonely, isolated, empty, lost, and anxious.

*** Maybe TALKING to a professional may help. But family and friends are okay too.