Surviving the Holidays

Surviving the holidays without your loved one...
The key to surviving Christmas as a bereaved individual is flexibility and foresight. It's important to plan ahead, and it's important to anticipate the changes you will need to make. Habit is easy, and it does take a little more effort to implement creative change in holiday planning. But change and adjustment are essential for the newly bereaved.

Families can spend so many years following the same patterns and routines that they forget these choices were made because they were right for their moment. But choices made under different circumstances may not be the right choices for the newly bereaved. The early moments of grief demand new rules. Even customs "set in stone" can be bent. Festivities that expend more energy than we have to give can be skipped. Entertaining and socializing can be altered or curtailed altogether. Decisions can be delayed and new plans designed and implemented at the last minute. The bereaved can learn to be creative and flexible in customizing their holiday plans.

Traditions bind families and societies tightly to one another. But altering our traditions to suit our current needs makes sense. Each moment, each stage of life, demands its own customs and its own rituals. By building our bridges moment to moment, we link the past and present to the future.

(borrowed with permission from Joanetta Hendel)

Journey Through Grief support group meets
Tuesday, December 2nd at 7 p.m. 

Young Adult Room - Riverlawn Christian Church  

(Click on "Meeting Information" tab for directions)

Journey Through Grief Meets November 4th

Hello Friends,
If you've lost a loved one, you're on your own personal journey through grief. As with any journey, you are likely carrying some type of luggage. This month we'll be sharing about what we'll choose to carry and what's in our "luggage".  

We welcome you to join us for our next Journey Through Grief Support meeting - Tuesday, November 4th. at 7:30 p.m. in the Young Adult Room at Riverlawn Christian Church. 

This group is open to anyone over the age of 18. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. 

Joining you in the journey ~ 
Jami and Janet

May I Go Now?

This beautiful poem was shared with us at our last meeting and we wanted to share it with you...

May I Go Now?

Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and endless, restless nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go. I really do.
It's difficult to stay.
But, I will try as best I can
to live for one more day.
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far.
I promise that, and hope
you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you,
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you, too;
that's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.
So, hold me know, just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me
you'll let me go today.

Susan A. Jackson

Journey Through Grief Begins Meeting October 7th!

Hello Friends!
We would like to extend an invitation for you to join us for our very first Journey Through Grief Support Group meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 7 p.m. The group will meet in the Young Adult room at Riverlawn Christian Church. (click here for address and directions)

Our meeting will last for approximately an hour and a half, and will be a casual time of learning what the group is all about, as well as meeting and getting to know others that are also experiencing their own journey through grief. It is a safe place to share feelings and struggles and find commonality and understanding with those that have also experienced personal loss.

The group is open to anyone ages 18 and over and is not exclusive to RCC members. It is not a course study with homework, therapy or counseling... but simply a time to gather and encourage one another through sharing, discussion, love and prayer as we work through our grief.

We will plan to meet the 1st Tuesday of every month and you are welcome but not obligated to join us any time you like. If you visit the group and decide that you're not ready for it, you can simply come back any time as you feel comfortable and please feel free to invite grieving friends or loved ones to join you!

Between meetings, we will share information and encouragement through this site, email, and our group Facebook page - which is by invitation only for members of the Journey Through Grief Support Group.     You can sign up for this group through Riverlawn Small Groups, but no sign up is required, you can just join us at the Oct. 7th meeting. If you'd like to email us to let us know you plan to attend, or if you'd like to talk with either of us we are here for you, so please contact us any time. We may not have all the answers, but we promise to meet you with love, compassion and understanding. We look forward to sharing our grief story with you.

 You are NOT alone!

Blessed to join you in the journey...
Jami and Janet