“The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you’ll learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again, but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.”
Those are the words spoken by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler. For me, this statement is true. The grief process changed who I am. It changed how I view the world. Would I change how I loved the people I lost to save myself from this journey through grief? No, I would not. I would, however, change how I grieved in the beginning. I felt isolated and alone. I felt lost and that things would never get better.
Grief is different for everyone but what links us all together is that grief is WORK. All of us must work through our grief when we lose a loved one. What I know now is that this work is much easier with people and resources around to support you. One way to gain that much needed support is by attending a GriefShare group.
GriefShare is a support group designed for individuals that are grieving the death of a loved one family or friend.
During GriefShare, participants will do three things:
- Watch videos featuring grief experts on recovery subjects.
- Spend time talking in a group setting about the videos and about what is happening in their lives.
- Use the accompanying workbook to work through the emotions of grief.
According to the website, most of the people leading the groups have experienced losses and can understand how you feel. GriefShare is a 13-week program and participants can jump in at any time, as each session stands alone. No matter when you join, you will find support and encouragement.
If you have experienced a loss, I encourage you to reach out for help to support you with the work of grief. There are several churches in our area hosting GriefShare events. Registration is free but there is customarily a minor cost for the workbook itself. To register for a GriefShare group in your area, follow the links below.
- Northwood Church- Gulfport
- Rodenberg Church of Christ-Biloxi
- Diamondhead United Methodist Church-Diamondhead
- First Baptist Church-Vancleave
- Gautier First United Methodist Church-Gautier
Remember what Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler said: “you will be whole again.” To help you get to your new wholeness, reach out for support.
