Saturday, April 27, 2013

Such a Beautiful Day….

~written by Mary Ehmann, Valley Forge BP/USA

Why am I Crying?

This is a question that comes up every spring, particularly from newly bereaved.  It’s something we have always looked forward to, before tragedy hit.  The cold, drab, bleak winter is finally over.  Somehow, we thought that magical time would be the magic that would free us from our pain.  Unfortunately, not so!  Perhaps it’s because we see this beauty unfolding, and our children are not here to share it. 

The devastating knowledge is that the “magic” of spring didn’t change our feelings.  The fact the world seems to go on, just as if nothing has happened, when  our world seems to have stopped, seems impossible to comprehend.  False expectations.  What we tend to forget is that seasons change, where we are in our grief cycle is what controls our feelings.

Just hold on to the fact that spring is a rebirth of what seems dead, as dead as you feel now.  It is true, you will never stop missing your child, however, hold on to the belief that your spring will come again, too.  When it does, it will be different.  

Just as the trees and flowers are not the same, you won’t be either.  But their beauty is still there, and as you start to come back to life again, you will find different joys in life. 

We all run on a different calendar, so no time frame can be put on your spring.  Just know that your feelings are perfectly normal.  It may seem that you are back at square one, but look back, remember what it was like in the beginning, and I think you will realize there has been progress,  and there will be more.  

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Grief can & does sneak up on you...

~ by Cherie Houston


There's no doubt that many of us try to believe that "in time" our grief will be gone - but those of us who've been on this Journey thru Grief, can tell you that even after many years, there will be times (often when you least expect it) that you will feel sadness and pain... Bobby's death certainly reminds me continually how much I miss his 2 little sisters who died in 1971 and 1972... We also learn to accept the fact that our grief will never be gone it will just get softer...  

It's been 43 months since my 36 year old son Bobby died, and as many of your know my husband Dan and I spend 7 months in Arizona and the summer and month of December in New England with our children and 9 (soon to be 11) amazing grandkids...

Last night as we flew from Vegas back to Boston, out of nowhere, that dreaded sneak attack of grief reared it's ugly head.. I have to admit this happens from time to time when I least expect it...  

I wonder if it's just easier for me to "pretend" when we're in Arizona that everything is at it should be back in New England, nothing's changed, but as our plane grew closer to Boston thru the night, and knowing we'd be back with our family within hours ~ the sad reality that Bobby won't be there this morning, as he always was, to great us and POW...it hit like a ton of bricks...Fortunately on the red eye 1am flight, most people are sleeping, including my husband, so it was easier to allow myself to give in to the grief and heartache...  

But I then realized that it's becoming easier for me to refocus my grief to the joy on Bobby's wonderful life, his infectious smile and all that he has left for us including his beautiful 2 little boys who are now 9 & 10... With time, I'm learning that the more I focus on his life, instead of his death, I'm able to catch my breath, dry my tears, smile and know it's time to continue moving forward... and accept and look forward to my step-son Douglas, being at the airport with our youngest granddaughter Jacobi, and I remind myself how blessed I am... 

I finally got it last night, the name of our moms group... "The Journey from Mourning to Joy:... that's what I was experiencing....


It is amazing how the smallest reminder of our child - a smell, song, photo or a memory from out of nowhere, can send us into an unexpected tailspin. With time however, as we continue to gain strength and knowledge "that we will get thru this", we each will find ways to cope when our "grief" sneaks back up on us...  Here are some tips shared by others...  

Be prepared. Anniversary& specific event reactions are normal, but in time you'll find ways to turn them into opportunities for healing. For example, you might find yourself dreading an upcoming special day, fearful of being overwhelmed by painful memories and emotions, but again, in time, we often find that the anticipation of the "days" are worse than the actual day itself.


Remember the best and try not to focus on the day and events of their death In time, and it's not easy, I hope you can find yourself focusing on all the wonderful memories - even with my little girls who were so young - Randee died within hours of her birth and Robin died before her 1st birthday, Bobby had just turned 36, but despite all the heartache experienced from their deaths, I wouldn't give any of it up - they have each made me who I am today and I love them for it..  

Start a new tradition in your loved one's memory. Bobby's 2 little boys (and now their cousins) have come to believe that dragonfly's represent Bobby's spirit, and planting a tree at their home, and our home in New England & in Arizona in his honor have been a few of the ways we keep his memory alive..  

Connect with others. Draw friends and loved ones close to you, including people who were special to your child. Find someone who'll encourage you to talk about your loss. Stay connected to your usual support systems, such as spiritual leaders and social groups and of course, I think support groups, such as our Journey from Mourning to Joy Group in Lake Havasu, or one in your area, such as The Compassionate Friends or Bereaved Parents, can help us in so many ways...  

Allow yourself to feel a range of emotions. I have learned since the deaths of my three children that it's OK and very normal to be sad and feel a sense of loss, but with time it's also very important to experience joy and happiness-especially if you've been blessed with a wonderful family and friends. As you celebrate special times, you might find yourself both laughing and crying, and that is normal. 

A very wise woman (Joyce Floyd) once told me, Grief is not a sign of weakness-nor loss of faith, it is simply the price of love.. and how right she is!!!


Friday, April 19, 2013

Golden Fire...

~ by Joyce Floyd

“In the book “A Bend in the Road,” David Jeremiah writes “When you’ve walked through the fire, people begin to listen to you.  When you have wisdom borne of suffering you begin to have the tools to accomplish something in the world.” 

I saw this first hand when a friend of my husband lost his two year old son.  He could not wait to talk to my husband, knowing we too had lost a child years ago.  He searched Don out at the funeral and could not get to my husband fast enough.

He grabbed Don and broke down in his arms.  I think just Don’s presence comforted him.  When he asked Don how he was going to go on, Don told him there was only one way. He listened while Don explained to him about the love of the Lord Jesus and how HE has carried us through our own trial. I believe the death of our children has given us a freedom to speak to others about our faith and they also tend to listen to us in a more expecting way.  We have been through the fire.  We have the opportunity and the responsibility to reach out and comfort others and in the process we can spread the word about the Love of the Lord.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, there have been gifts given me from my child.  Gifts like NO other.  Little nuggets of truth, of heroism, of the purest love I have ever known.  Purified by fire, I guess. LIKE GOLD. 

There is NO gold purer or more precious than this….and yet sometimes it is so bright that it burns our inner eyes and brings tears and pain to the body and soul.  Bright as the sun it emits a power that can heal us and also burn us…yet we hold it tightly in our hearts.

We who have this gold…..are blessed….and cursed….the love, the gifts, the loss, the pain, and yet there is no power in heaven or on earth that can take it away from us….nor would we let them.

Today I’m encouraging those of you who can…..to make your grief into a GOLDEN FIRE……to reach out and embrace another who is hurting.  In the reaching out to another, your own HEALING will and CAN begin.
        
“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished.  That will be the beginning.” ...... Louis L’Armour            

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Please join me in keeping those impacted by the tragedy in Boston in your prayers


As soon as I heard the news yesterday about the tragic events in Boston, which is the area where my husband Dan and I are from and where our children, grandchildren, extended family and many friends still live, our hearts sank.  How tragic and unimaginable... Because we are still here in Arizona, we immediately began to check in with family and friends, and thankfully all are safe..

I have no doubt that you will all join me in keeping those impacted by this senseless act in your thoughts and prayers...

For so many of you and my students who emailed me since the tragedy in Boston, you'll never know how much I was touched by your concern and well wishes - I feel so blessed to have become part of your lives and know how truly grateful I am for the way in which you reached out... 

We just never know what's ahead each morning when we wake, and despite the trivial issues that may arise throughout the day, it's so important that we learn not to "sweat the small stuff" and tell those who are important to us, just how much we love them...    Love to all and be safe ... Cherie Houston

Monday, April 15, 2013

GRIEF THREADS

~ Written by Deb Kosmer

Everyone says “grief is hard work.”  What they don’t always remember to say is watch out for the threads.  

You know those loose threads that pop up from time to tome on your favorite shirt or sweater and no matter how many times you clip them or twist them, before too long, there they are again, defying your best efforts to keep them hidden.  Well, in case you haven’t; noticed grief  has those annoying threads as well.  

Threads that insist on popping up from time to time; leaving you to wonder if you will ever be through with this “grief thing.”  Sometimes a thread comes when you see someone who looks a bit like your loved one.  Sometimes it’s something as simple as seeing caramel apples at the store or smelling their cologne on someone. 

Little things that don’t feel so little when they are taking you places you thought you’d left behind, yes those are Grief Threads...                                                                                            

Thursday, April 11, 2013

The Cord

THE CORD
~Author Unknown~

We are connected, my child and I,
by an invisible cord, not seen by the eye.
It’s not like the cord that connects us ‘til birth
    this cord can’t be seen by any on Earth.

This cord does its work right from the start,
It binds us together attached to my heart.
I know that it’s there though no one can see,
     the invisible cord from my child to me.

The strength of this cord Is hard to describe,
It can’t be destroyed, it can’t be denied.
It’s stronger than any cord man could create
It withstands the test, can hold any weight.

And though you are gone,
Though you’re not here with me,
The cord is still there but no one can see.

It pulls at my heart,
I am bruised….I am sore.
But this cord is my lifeline as never before.

I am thankful that God
Connects us this way
A Mother and Child~
Death can’t take it away!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Today the Sun Shines

~ Written by Fay Hardin, Tuscaloosa, AL

At first I didn’t even notice, accustomed as I was to being mired in apathy.  Someone told me it would happen - months or was it years ago- “Someday the sun will shine for you again.”

I certainly didn’t believe them – how could they know what they were talking about?  Their only son hadn’t died as mine had.  If I were ever going to laugh again I’d have laughed at them.  No, the sun would never shine for me again.  I’d just live quiet, stay out of people’s way.  Certainly no one wanted to hear about it.  My presence seemed to make others nervous, like “it” might be catching.  My silence made them uncomfortable. 

I’d resumed a routine, such as it was – some days I worked like fury pushing myself far beyond my physical endurance.  Some days I never left the sofa.  Just lay “like a beached whale,” my husband said.

The days passed.  I got by.  I like it this way, it was peaceful.  Nothing “happened.”  No more dreaded experiences this way.  So, I’d just live out my life like this – stay out of people’s way.  Out of sight, out of mind.  I wouldn’t “bother” people anymore.

The days passed, I didn’t know which one was which anymore. It didn’t matter anyway.  I had no where to go ~

Once in a while I’d make a half-hearted stab at the flower bed when my husband threatened to contact the “Save the Whales” people for assistance, but that was about it.  My contribution to self-preservation. 

When the fruits of my labor made an appearance I hardly noticed. I just didn’t care.  What good are flowers without sunshine and the sun wasn’t going to shine for me again – ever!

Then one day, in my state of repose, something got in my eye – at first I didn’t notice, just got irritated.  Then with a shock so great it made my heart pound, I realized that the sun had begun to shine.  Funny I hadn’t noticed it before – I’d lain here in my usual spot on the sofa for months now, or was it years.”  And nothing like this had happened – but there it was, sure as shootin’.  The sun really was shining!

I got up to investigate and found to my surprise that the bulbs I’d planted months ago or was it years – had multiplied and were blooming in multi-colored profusion.  They looked nice.  In fact, they were downright glorious.  With another shock I found that the sun felt good.  I felt good, like fining a long lost friend.  The grass smelled damp and fresh and wonderful.  And as I bent to admire this small wonder I’d created in the flower bed I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the flowers’ faces as I was struck by the similarity of these, God’s creations, which had needed my meager care to bring them to completion, and the blessing of God’s other creation, the radiantly beautiful child that had lived on this earth, played on this very grass and had spring forth in life without my help.  

I knelt down there in the sunshine and gently caressed the flowers’ faces and knew that I had pushed aside the image of my child’s face too long.  I knew then as long as flowers bloom he will go on living.  I felt the sunshine that day and saw it and acknowledged it and reveled in it for I knew my child was not dead, that I’d see him whenever I looked at a flower or heard a bird sing and one day, when the time was right, I’d see him again in another place, a place beyond where the sun shines.  A place where buttercups grow just to tickle the noses of little children squealing with glee.  And I’ll be there, in God’s Garden, on bended knees, planting and cultivating just so I can see.
                                                                           

Friday, April 5, 2013

"Heartbeat" Meeting Dates

Reminder - HEARTBEAT Meeting

HEARTBEAT is a wonderful support group for those in our community, who have lost a loved one to suicide
"HEARTBEAT" is hosting their last meetings of the season, next week:
  • Tuesday evening, April 9th  in Kingman at the First Southern Baptist Church-3120 Hualapai Mountian Rd at 7pm.
  • Wednesday evening April 10th at Lake Havasu Community Center- 100 Park Ave., Room 152, 7pm.
HEARTBEAT will taking a break for the summer and the monthly meetings will resume in the fall, beginning in October...
  • October 8th in Kingman at the First Southern Baptist Church-3120 Hualapai Mountian Rd at 7pm
  • October 9th at Lake Havasu Community Center- 100 Park Ave., Room 152, 7pm Lake Havasu City.
Mark your calendars, HEARTBEAT will be observing the 15th Annual International Survivors of Suicide Day November 23rd with further information to come later.

You can contact the Founders of HEARTBEAT, Dan and Judy Hoppes at Tele: 928 208-0129 or email: jdhoppes@frontiernet.net

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

When a child dies, what friends & family should not do....

The death of a child is very different from that of a parent, spouse or other family member or friend.  It is an overwhelming grief that no one should ever experience.  But the reality is, it happens, and when and if it does, it's often hard to know what you should or shouldn't do to help the grieving parents...  
 
 
 
We hope these helpful hints will give you some insight - remember they need your unconditional love, support and patience and not just immediately after the loss, but during the years ahead.. and also remember that no parent "gets over the death of their child" they simply learn to live with it... Cherie Houston 
 
 
How NOT To Help A Friend Whose Child Has Died... 
~ Author Unknown
  • Don't be afraid of intruding. You're not.
  • Don't be afraid of offering help with daily chores or things that need to be done-Grieving parents usually have no idea what they need, so take some initiative with meals, picking up other children from school, household chores and other errands .
  • Don't avoid or ignore the grieving parents. They are already grieving a loss, and losing a friend or loved one only makes their grief worse..
  • Don't leave when you become uncomfortable. It will only make your friend feel worse - guilty about their grief.
  • Don't avoid talking to your friend because you don't know what to say.
  • Do not EVER say, "It is for the best," even if you believe it. It is trite, unfair & very hurtful.
  • Don't shirk on promises - if you've agreed to do something for the grieving family, failing at your responsibilities will feel like a bigger slap in the face.
  • Don't be hurt if the grieving parents say something mean or hurtful. They're not quite themselves, which means they lash out. Be patient.
  • Religion is a potentially explosive way to comfort. Unless you absolutely know 100% the person will be comforted by mentions of faith, don’t go there. Religion is a very complicated thing in the wake of a child’s death, and they may be angry at God or confused as to how to incorporate the death of a child into the religion that they have known to have their best interests in mind.
  • Even if the grieving parents are intensely religious, they may be having a crisis of faith in the wake of a child’s death, and they could be angered/saddened by mention of religion.
  • Especially stay away from, “God wanted her more than you,” or “God needed her more." I don’t care if it is the all powerful creator of the universe, you don’t tell any Mom or Dad that anyone wants their child more than they do.
  • So many people hate seeing their loved ones in such pain and want to fix it. Consequently, they start talking about how you have to move on, that you will see them again, the child is with God, it will get better in time, etc. - all things they think will “fix it.” Don’t try to do this-believe me, those comments don't "fix" anything.
  • Don't be afraid to bring up the lost child - the grieving parents will already be thinking of their child and talking about their child actually helps them in their grief..
  • If your friend doesn't want to discuss their lost child or their feelings, accept that and move on to another topic.
  • Don't say, "I know how you feel," because you do not. It minimizes the grief and grieving they're going through.
  • Don't say, "I don't know how you do it." Your friend does it because he or she has to.
  • Don't mention silver linings. That feels condescending and rude.
  • Don't put a time-table on grief. No one knows how long it will take to grieve the loss of a child, so don't expect that your friend will simply "get over it" in a specific period of time. They won't.
  • Don't refer to the child in impersonal ways - instead, use the child's name. It may feel uncomfortable to you, but it will remind your friend that the world has not, in fact, forgotten their lost child.
  • Don't forget about the siblings of the lost child. Not only have they lost a brother or sister, they've lost their parents during the grieving process.
  • Never discount your gut. If your friend seems to be suicidal or is beginning to isolate, seek professional help.
  • Don't forget the anniversary dates - almost no one remembers the second anniversary of a child's death. This makes parents feel as though the world has forgotten their child and that only adds to their pain and heartache.
  • Don’t be afraid to show emotion. Many people feel they have to be strong for their friends, that they can’t cry or show emotion. You can be strong AND be emotional. If tears come, don’t fight them. This shows your friends that you, too, are crushed and sad and lost