AARP Online Community and Discussion Forums - Re: 🤗 We Are ALWAYS Here For You! - Page 39

Anonymous · ‎11-25-2022

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Grief & Loss Team 🤎🤗

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mc6844 · ‎03-23-2023

I'm so sorry for your loss Carolyn. Something good will happen for you today I'm sure. And people here understand what you're going through. Take care.

Therapist4u · ‎03-09-2023

We Are ALWAYS Here For You TOO 😄

SueS788527 · ‎01-29-2023

Hi, Nicole and readers of this forum. I wanted to share something I heard from my Bible Study today. To make a long story short, I have reconciled and forgiven my church from pretty much abandoning me after my husband's funeral and the first Thanksgiving and Christmas. Lent was not much better since the leaders could not really relate to those going through grief. They pretty much viewed it as going alone. Finding GriefShare during this empty time made all the difference. Today, a number of the same church leaders bemoaned how everyone seems to have a mental health issue whether personally or someone they know. What a surprise! There is no bereavement program, although I encouraged starting one due to the high number of deaths since Covid or any real support, physically or mentally to the congregations. The conversation confirmed what I experienced first-hand - a distant and aloof reaction to grief. The only other person at this meeting was a widow like me who truly understood the need for support. She and I were like voices in the wilderness, how fitting as we enter the season of Lent next month. Mental health is a big issue and should be discussed openly and with actions like outreach, communications, true caring. There is obviously an urgent need and I hope at least for this group this is a wakeup call. I have already moved on from looking for support from them and am blessed that I have the support from the Grief Forum, GriefShare and a few similar minded individuals. Thought this discussion was ironic and a sad state of affairs. It is probably a microcosm of our greater society. Just sharing. Sue

mc6844 · ‎03-23-2023

Thank you Sue for sharing your experience. I'm sorry you experienced that abandonment. I've seen much of this in life. I believe fear is the cause. That the same uncomfortable situation will happen to them. Which of course someday it will. Even those in leadership have fears they can't speak to. When my husband was very ill he became upset and hurt that someone wasn't there for him. After a while I said, "you can't go to an empty well for water." I kept saying it. He finally got it. Made his peace about it. It helps to know that many people are very uncomfortable around the dying and death itself. I find reading about Hospice comforting. They have much experience in the before, during, and after in the loss of loved ones. It is wonderful you do your Bible study. I've always wanted to do that. Except I don't have patience for it. But I do find comfort in the Bible. I'm so happy you found this forum which takes the place of those who abandoned you in your time if need. Please remember your guardian angels are always with you. Take care.