WE ARE SORRY about 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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I lost my husband,soulmate, friend of 50 years 4 months ago. I need support. I go to hospice one on one once a month and group twice a month. I feel like I need more support. 

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌❌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌️     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.

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YOUR GRIEF!!!

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. ***]‌‌‌‌‌‌⬅️‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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.

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌[*** Members "helping" members. ***]‌‌‌‌‌‌⬅️‌‌‌‌‌‌

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[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]

‌‌📍‌‌   Permit Yourself to Feel Joy: Experiencing happiness or laughing does not dishonor the person you lost. It is a sign of resilience and the human capacity to heal.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   "Online" SUPPORT for your journey - before you bury your luv one & after. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

SO MANY decisions to be made!!!

Let us help you through all of this = WE ALSO lost someone we cared about.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[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.

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👋‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  GOOD morning!!!

Another "day" for us to get out of bed, "believing" somehow WE WILL survive while grieving.

Stop by when you can to let us know how you are doing.

Remember to GET BACK UP everytime you fall (stay in bed,depressed,crying and so on).

EVERY TIME you do so = makes you a SURVIVOR.

Someone who "survived" a loss.

Someone who is "creating" a life without someone they cared about.

Keep "stepping" my friend.

I am "thinking" about YOU TODAY!!!

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌💻‌‌   AARP regularly hosts free virtual grief and loss webinars that are open to BOTH members and non-members. These ONLINE sessions focus on topics like after-death planning, coping with loss, and learning how to compassionately support grieving loved ones.

‌‌➡️‌‌[*** We do POST Event Information as separate threads as soon as they are set up. Available in ALL time zones, weekdays.

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😴‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌     Wishing Everyone REST when they head to bed TONIGHT!!!

Yes, those "sleepless" nights are a CHALLENGE but know that with TIME, they will "decrease". ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

You got this my friend!!!

Luv,

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌😞‌‌‌  Losing a CHILD is one of the most devastating and unnatural experiences a person can face.

‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌[*** We are "suppose" to die BEFORE them!!! ‌‌‌😤‌‌‌

(1) Find SPECIALIZED Support Groups: Connecting with other bereaved parents can provide profound validation and understanding. 

(2) MEMORIALIZE Your Child: Finding ways to honor your child can be deeply comforting. Whether through a dedicated ritual, donating to a cause they cared about, or simply talking about them, actively remembering allows you to carry your child forward.

*** I am SO SORRY for your loss dear friend. Nicole ‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌💛‌‌

[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. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌‌‌‌‌👋‌‌‌‌‌‌   Group Members, stop by when you "feel" up to letting us know how you are doing. Our AARP Experts Amy @agoyer , Jane @JaneCares & OTHER members are here to "support" you (listen,chat,comfort). Our WELCOME MAT is "always" in front of our door for you guys. We are thinking about you TODAY/TONIGHT!

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ 

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Expert Webinars: AARP frequently hosts FREE "online" events focusing on specific MOURNING challenges  which is free and open to non-members.

‌‌‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌‌‌[*** We post these for your convenience with LINKS TO REGISTER. These take place EVERY MONTH during the week.

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‌‌‌👴‌‌‌‌‌‌👵‌‌‌   Grieving in OLD AGE is uniquely challenging due to accumulated loss — often called BEREAVEMENT OVERLOAD. It’s a whole-body experience extending beyond losing loved ones to include grief over declining health, independence, and shifting identities. Isolation worsens this, making ACTIVE SELF-CARE, community connection, and PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT absolutely vital.

‌‌➡️‌‌[*** If you know a Senior who is "grieving", please CHECK on them daily. If you are a Senior who is GRIEVING, please "reach out" to let the CARING folks in your life KNOW you need them. My daughter CHECKS on me daily. ‌‌💛‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌

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AARP Peer Support & Forums: Connect with others walking the same path on the AARP Grief & Loss Online Community. It provides a SAFE space to share stories, ask for advice, and exchange COMFORTING messages.

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‌‌🗒‌‌   Embrace the "New Normal": Your life and identity will be fundamentally altered, and you may find you have a lowered tolerance for trivial stressors. Focus on the present moment and redefine what gives your life meaning.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👋‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  GOOD morning!!!

Another "day" for us to get out of bed, "believing" somehow WE WILL survive while grieving.

Stop by when you can to let us know how you are doing.

Remember to GET BACK UP everytime you fall (stay in bed,depressed,crying and so on).

EVERY TIME you do so = makes you a SURVIVOR.

Someone who "survived" a loss.

Someone who is "creating" a life without someone they cared about.

Keep "stepping" my friend.

I am "thinking" about YOU TODAY!!!

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    A place to share and support EACH OTHER with comments. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

What is going on in YOUR LIFE? ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤔‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

WE share OUR JOURNEY while grieving & after grieving. Some of us are still grieving AFTER losing our luv one(s) YEARS AGO. Grief has NO schedule & TOGETHER we will make it. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Some days we have a "chuckle" at what a member posts.

Some days "tears" are in our eyes.

Other days we are doing a HAPPY DANCE WITH THEM as they get STRONGER on their journey.

YOU got this.   ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Members "helping" members!!!

Grief & Loss Team   ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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🪧   Life after loss isn't about "moving on" or forgetting. It is a continuous process of rebuilding your identity, establishing new routines, and finding pockets of joy. Healing happens in small, steady steps, and it's completely normal to feel a shift in your priorities and perspectives.

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AARP Grief Resources for Loved Ones of Deceased AARP Members!

‌‌‌‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌‌‌‌[*** FROM THE WEBSITE.

We're here to help!

(1) AARP extends our deepest sympathies to you and your family for your loss. We have resources available to help you navigate this challenging time.

(2) To cancel or transfer the account, go to How To Notify AARP About a Deceased Member. They provide a link for this.

(3) USE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS ALL AARP INFO ON GRIEF!

*** Give it a little time to come up. NOT sure WHY it does this! ***

https://help.aarp.org/s/article/resources-for-loved-ones-of-deceased-members

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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]

🪔   You might NEED to do these!!!

(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]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👥‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    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)‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   Remember to "pat" YOURSELF on YOUR back "everytime" you do 1 step.

Why?

So many times WE donot realize that 1 step is COURAGE.

Courage to "pick" ourselves up after OUR world fell apart from OUR GRIEF.

You got this!!!

Luv,

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

ABOUT OUR GROUP!!!

A MODERATED (AARP Moderator) "online" space to share stories, ask questions, and connect with other members who have experienced a loss.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌   WE are sending LOTS of "hugs" your way just in case you NEED them "right" now!!!

Grief & Loss Team!