Grief and Trauma

Shannon – Blessings and sadness

Shannon discusses how just showing up, being present is a powerful way of supporting to someone who has lost. Listen more – talk less.

Shannon – Hope for Healing

Shannon shares about losing her husband to suicide, her parents and her father-in-law. She felt broken and to be able to take care of her kids and her self seemed overwhelming. It took someone telling her that you can heal from trauma to give her hope for healing.

Donna B – “Anxiety Attacks”

Donna shares her experiences with anxiety and how she deals with it. Donna continues to grieve the death her son during service in Afghanistan.

Nicole – Pandemic’s Effect on Grieving as a Community

Nicole discusses the ways the pandemic has affected the way people grieve as a community.

Helping Others Help You Through Grief

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW When you’ve experienced the death of a loved one, one of the most difficult things you will go through is trying to find out what helps you adjust to the loss. This can be compounded when others around you don’t understand what you’re going through, and don’t know how…

Donna B – “Death of a Child and a Soldier”

Donna talks about losing her son and the military bond. Donna continues to grieve the death her son during service in Afghanistan.

Cheryl and Mike – “Getting through it”

Cheryl and Mike talk about self care and relationships as they move forward. They continue to grieve the death their daughter in a car accident.

Caitlin – “My Story”

Caitlin shares about the loss of her sister and how she copes with missing her. Caitlin continues to grieve the death of her sister in a car accident

Rev. Sky – “Sharing”

Rev. Sky explains how sharing helps you heal.

Sarah K – Story

Sarah tells the story of her husbands death to a heroin overdose.

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other Special Days

When we are grieving, some days are more difficult than others. Grief comes in waves like the sea and can feel like an intertwining labyrinth of emotions. Birthdays, anniversaries, and special dates that are associated with our loved one who has died can contribute to more emotionally intense days which can be worsened through the anticipation and “what ifs” of the upcoming day. These difficult days can leave us feeling defeated and it can almost feel like we’ve taken two steps backward in our grieving process, but grief does not have a timeline, and these feelings of setbacks are opportunities for healing.

Bryan – Empathy for others

Bryan talks about how losing his father to gun violence was difficult and how taking things day by day helped him get through many difficult times. Now he wants to help children who are going through something similar to what he did. Things will get better and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel