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A reflection on Living with Loss

Tonight the members will bring stories of their loved ones and share their fears, deepest emotions and love. Some will cry, some will laugh, some will say nothing, just listen as other members share stories about their loved one.

Some attend for the first time while others are regulars. They are supportive of and to each other. You see they all “get it”; all are in the same boat. The meeting becomes a “safe place” to express your emotions; to express your anger or rage; to question life and death and to begin the healing journey through ones own grief.

As the facilitator I meet the most awesome people, I listen to their stories, I share my own. Each story is a gift given to each other member of the group. Each story holds nuggets of truth and understanding about the stepping stones one takes as they journey through grief.

This understanding is a gift we give to each other. “Wow. I am not going crazy! Their feelings and suffering sound just like mine! I am normal!”

While in our every day world we often attempt to swallow our grief, go around it or try to ignore it. In the group we face it, take steps through it and learn that grief is not a villain. It is our natural means to heal from an unbearable shock; the death of our loved one. Grief we learn can be embraced. This is why it is called “Living with Loss”.

Bill, Member and Volunteer