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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🔍     If you are looking for local, in-person support groups or specialized professionals, consider reaching out to your primary care provider for a local behavioral health referral. Or contact a nearby bereavement center, which frequently offers community grief support programs.

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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 ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌‌📜‌‌‌   “It’s possible to go on, no matter how impossible it seems, and that in time, the grief … lessens. It may not go away completely, but after a while, it’s not so overwhelming.” --- NICHOLAS SPARK.

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About the AARP Grief & Loss Forum!!!

A dedicated, public forum where members SHARE personal stories, find DAILY encouragement, and CONNECT with others navigating SIMILAR losses.

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‌🕯‌   Expand While GRIEVING: Eventually, you will reach a point where you can imagine a future that brings you excitement and joy again. This involves growing into new dreams and finding meaning in your altered life trajectory. 

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OUR GROUP DISCUSSION!!!

What helps you on those SLEEPLESS nights? 🤔

👣   Keep stepping my friends = WE will get MORE SLEEP as time passes I promise.

➡️[*** Me, lighting an AROMATIC "Bath & Body Works" candle is one option.

Then "blow it out" when I BEGIN to feel sleepy.

I also GET OUT OF BED & find something to "read" or do (chores,AARP Rewards Activities).

Then CLIMB BACK INTO BED when I get "sleepy".

The MORNINGS are the "worst" after one of these nights IF I have to be somewhere.

It is like MY ALARM GOES OFF just when I start my zzz's.

Those mornings are a "test" of my determination to get things done IN SPITE of being TOTALLY EXHAUSTED.

Nicole 💛🤗

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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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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   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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‌‌‌‌‌😴‌‌‌‌‌     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 ‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌

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‌📍‌   Build While GRIEVING: Slowly create a new daily routine. Reclaiming your independence by tackling tasks your spouse used to do—such as cooking, handling finances, or learning DIY skills—can help rebuild your self-esteem and self-trust. 

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LIVE IN THE MOMENT while grieving!!!

Right now is your chance to take 1 step towards MOVING FORWARD in "creating" a new life WITHOUT your luv one.

Yes, it hurts.

Yes, we maybe angry.

Yes, we have NO idea what the FUTURE holds for us as we travel through our GRIEF.

But RIGHT NOW, is an "opportunity" to either "give up" or continue to travel.

You got this my friend. ‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌ (Grief Forum)

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‌‌📜‌‌   "Whoever said that loss gets EASIER with time was a liar. Here's what really happens: The spaces between the times you miss them grow LONGER. Then, when you do remember to miss them again, it's still with a stabbing PAIN to the heart. And you have GUILT. Guilt because it's been too long since you missed them last." KRISTIN O'DONNELL TUBB.

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FOR FOLKS (grieving) ON MEDICARE!!!

Sometimes Individual Counseling "helps" us to REGAIN some "control" of our lives as we TRY to survive our grief.

Medicare covered MONTHLY sessions for me for as long as needed.

Just make sure your PRIMARY doctor REFERS you & always CALL Medicare to make sure EVERYTHING will be covered.

We DONOT need any "surprise" bills to add to our stress.

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💛‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌   Did YOU take a step TODAY/TONIGHT? Tell us about YOUR STEP!!!

Sometimes it maybe a half a step (not quite where we hoped to be, but you TRIED). ‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌

Those half steps do "help" with moving past your grief = finding peace & comfort.

*** EVERYONE'S step will be DIFFERENT. For some of us, just "getting" out of bed is a CHALLENGE. Celebrate that step when YOU DO!!! And keep on "stepping" IF you can into a DAY/NIGHT FULL OF "possible" comfort & peace. You got this my friend!!! ‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    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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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌📜‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   “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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‌‌👍‌‌   REMEMBER!!!

We will see our luv ones AGAIN.

Meanwhile, HONOR their "memory" with taking care of yourself (physically, mentally, emotionally).

Yes, WE MISS THEM EVERY DAY & NIGHT.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😞‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

They are WITH US ALWAYS, seeing our "efforts" and luving us.

You got this my friend!!!

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

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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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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌📜‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    "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.

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👋‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌     "Online" Group WELLNESS CHECKS!!!

[1] WE check on Group Members "online" when WE have NOT heard from them "recently".

[2] WE do "understand" that there are days/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 feel like letting us know HOW YOU ARE DOING. We fo care about you always. OUR WELCOME MAT IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE OUR DOOR.

[4] There is NO limit to how long you are a part of this group. Some of us have been participating for YEARS = asking for support & giving support. ‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌

[5] And we have with us TWO "wonderful" AARP Experts (Amy @agoyer & Jane @JaneCares ) who stop by to offer their words of wisdom for our situations (we post).

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌📜‌‌    Grief is a most peculiar thing; we’re so helpless in the face of it.

It’s like a window that will simply open of its own accord.

The room grows cold, and we can do nothing but shiver.

But it opens a little less each time, and a little less; and one day we wonder what has become of it. ARTHUR GOLDEN.

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ABOUT OUR GROUP!!!

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

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

Grief & Loss Team!

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‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌    Stop by when YOU CAN to ENCOURAGE OTHERS (respond to THEIR POST) who are grieving.

Or ASK FOR SOME encouragement for YOURSELF during your grief.

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

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

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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‌‌‌‌📋‌‌‌‌   Here's Everything You Need to Do When a Loved One Dies (AARP Article)

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/family-relationships/when-loved-one-dies-checklist/

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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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📜   When you experience loss, people say you’ll move through the 5 stages of grief.
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. What they don’t tell you is that you’ll cycle through them all every day. RANATA SUZUKI.

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🪔   Explore While GRIEVING: When you feel ready, start experimenting with new experiences or routines without pressuring yourself. Treat this as a time to see what fits your new reality. 

[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 ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌