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The Good Mourning News
Fall 2011 In This Issue:
Important Event Dates
Featured Article: Grief Journey
Resource List
Bracing for the Holidays
Special Organizations
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| Welcome to the first edition of Grief Matters' quarterly newsletter.
Grief Matters is a grief service -- a good mourning resource for anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one as well as an educational resource for caregivers.
Each edition will address subjects regarding coping, talking and sharing your grief. It will also include resources and events that you can attend and offer an updated list of books and articles that you can read while traveling your grief journey so that you will have a better understanding about your feelings and emotions.
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Featured Article:
Your Journey Through GriefGrief is what one experiences when there is a death of a loved one. Grief affects you emotionally, physically, spiritually and socially - every part of your being. When death occurs you step into a journey that can be painful, overwhelming, and frustrating. While traveling your grief journey you will experience hills, valleys, pot holes, and dangerous curves. These obstacles are known as your feelings and emotions: shock, numbness, disbelief, searching, yearning, guilt, anger, some depression and finally reconciliation; which means you will learn how to live without the physical being of your loved one; but with the love and memories that you have with them. There are no detours on this journey. You must go through it. Give yourself permission to embrace your grief by expressing, experiencing, and doing the hard work of mourning. - Crying- allow yourself the healing affect of tears. They are nature's way of releasing the sadness and the beginning of the healing process.
- Talking- talk about your feelings, and life with the person who died. Find a support person, one who is a good listener, and not judgmental. Avoid one who is critical. It's your grief, and you have the right to express it your way. No one can take that away from you.
- Remembering- memories are the lasting part of a relationship. They may be a happy or sad experience: Hold them in your heart throughout your journey, they will become a continuing comfort to you.
- Journal- release your feelings on paper. Keep a journal of what is going on inside you; keep it simple. If you don't like to write, just jotting down one word a day can to say how you feel can help.
- Join a support group- it is always helpful to share with others, comparing how they feel. The group can give you opportunities to learn new ways of approaching your grief.
- Seek out resources- books, videos, tapes, magazine articles are just a few aids in traveling your journey. You may want to seek a professional counselor to discuss special problems or seek advice.
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"Grief is like peeling an onion. It comes off one layer at a time and you cry a lot." |
Save the Dates!
Oct. 11 Comfort Circle® Support Group Times: 1:30 or 7:00 p.m. (all on Tuesdays) At Anderson-McQueen Family Tribute Center 7820 38th Ave. No. St. Petersburg Oct. 18 Comfort Circle® Class II (same time and place) Oct. 25 Comfort Circle® Class III Nov. 01 Comfort Circle® Class IV Nov. 08 Comfort Circle® Class V Nov. 15 Comfort Circle Class® VI (This class will be the annual Holiday Seminar, "Joys and Sadness of the Holidays) The following dates are for other holiday seminars scheduled at different locations for your convenience. Nov. 10 1:00 p.m. at the Gulfport Senior Center 5501 27th Ave. South (893-2237) Nov. 14 12noon at The Fountains at Boca Ciega
1255 Pasadena Ave. So, St. Petersburg (812-3119) Dec. 04 TREE OF MEMORIES Annual holiday angel program 12noon until 4p.m. At 7820 38th Ave. No., St. Petersburg Sponsored by Anderson-McQueen Family Tribute Centers |
 The Holidays Are Coming!
The Holidays Are Coming!
When you ask someone who is mourning the death of a loved one, "What do you want for Christmas?" the answer typically will be, "To have my loved one back and go on with life the way it was."
For most families the holidays are very difficult; especially with the first holiday when in the past a time honored tradition that has been celebrated over and over at each holiday can now be a reminder that your loved one is no longer here to celebrate with you. These traditions can bring more loneness, more yearning, tears and a renewed sense of personal grief.
It is important to mourn this grief by sharing with other family members or close friends your concern about keeping the holidays as they always were.
Maybe it's time to do something different... don't send any cards....or chose not to decorate a tree...whatever your decisions are remember one thing....NOTHING IS WRITTEN IN CONCRETE; if you decide to change something this year you can always go back to the way it was another year, when your grief has lessened a little.
Grief Matters is offering three seminars entitled "Good Grief, Mourning through the Holidays". These are designed to help you through the difficult time of the year. Please check the SAVE THE DATE info in this newsletter.
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Special Organizations - Meet the Wow Gals
It has been two years ago that I started a widows group called Widows on the Way, or the WOW GALS. This is a widow's social group that meets once a month to go out to dinner at different restaurants for food, fun, and fellowship.
Sometimes we have programs that teach us something and sometimes we have programs that entertain us. Last year the members participated in two charity programs to reach out to others that need their help. One was Elves for Elders, sponsored by Better Living for Seniors and the other was knitting blankets for those in wheels chairs or bed bound sponsored by Senior Living Guide.
This group is open to any widow and it is an opportunity to meet others who are facing similar life styles changes. Each month invitations are sent out to invite everyone to that month's dinner. If you are interested you can contact Grief Matters to receive more information.
YOU TOO CAN BECOME A WOW GAL!!!
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 Grief Matters Resources
(What to read)
Most of the above resources have reading materials designed to help you through your grief journey including information on getting through the holidays.
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Editor's Note:
I would like to thank everyone for wishing me the best with my new program, Grief Matters. It is my intention to reach out to those who are mourning a death. This grief work is near and dear to my heart; please know that I am here to help; contact me with your questions, concerns, and your heartaches. Remember to mourn well, so that you can live well and love well.
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Contact Information
Carole McLeod, President, Grief Matters
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