Nourishment for Those Who are Grieving
Grief takes a lot out of you. It leaves you feeling drained. It makes you feel empty. And even though taking care of yourself may not seem worth the energy when you are grieving, it is extremely important. It is during these times that having good friends to help out is the most appreciated, even if you don't have the energy to let them know it.
This month we are focusing on caring for friends or family members who are grieving. We start with an article by guest author Teresa TL Bruce about quenching the needs of those who are grieving after much of the care they received immediately after a loss has dried up. Then we share an article from Adina Bailey about a woman sharing the soup that her mother made as a comfort to others in their time of grief. Being a source of nourishment to a grieving friend is a resolution that could bring comfort and fulfillment to your loved one and yourself as you start this new year.
|
|
|
by Teresa TL Bruce
After the holidays, when parties are over and visitors have stopped dropping in, someone who has recently lost a loved one may face new lows of loneliness. While some may find the new year an open gateway to a fresh start, others may find it a slammed door of separation from shared experiences and future dreams with their deceased dear ones. For some, the post-holiday blues may reflect the bereavement faced not long after a death.
How long has it been since your friend’s life changed forever? A few days? A couple of weeks? Half a year?
In the beginning, a newly grieving, raw-hearted mourner may be nearly as overwhelmed by outpourings of support as by the loss itself. Picture a parched child trying to sip from an open fire hose. The analogy is imperfect, but I hope it conveys the idea. By all means, do offer your support and your presence! (But be understanding if your friend “backs away” at first — or even after repeated gestures on your part.)
Later, the initial shock of death wears off and day-to-day realizations and adjustment difficulties set in. Sadly, as friends and loved ones return to their “normal” lives, their life-sustaining (though drenching) support often wanes to a trickle. Picture the same open-mouthed child now waiting beneath a stalactite for quenching water — one drop at a time. The mourning soul still thirsts, but expected sources of hydration have all but dried up.
Just as the post-holiday ebb of socializing may leave you feeling the loss of interaction with your friends and coworkers as your life gets back to “business as usual,” the decrease in holiday-minded activities can usher in a newly darkened period of social “dehydration” for those in mourning.
Here are some ways you can offer life-sustaining, soul-quenching “water”... Read More...
|
|
|
Special cards to acknowledge the bereaved, no matter their loss. It is often difficult for the bereaved when the sympathy cards stop arriving, sending a grief note every few weeks reminds them that you haven’t forgotten their loss. The cards are small and pack powerfully encouraging messages. Shop Here...
|
|
When someone you know is alone or awaiting an outcome, give them something to hold on to. A sweet and simple way to let someone know they are on your mind. Can also be used as thank you gift, or as a welcome gift at a funeral. Shop Here...
|
|
|
|
by Adina Bailey
Melissa, our Director of Customer Support, recently introduced me to the phrase "more than a meal". Four simple words explain why you and I are taking meals to friends and family. In addition to the ingredients we use, the meals we take are chock- full of care, concern, love, hugs, let me help, and HOPE.
We have a new soup meal in our store that is "more than a meal". This soup meal is not only delicious, but the story behind it introduces you to a compassionate, brave woman, Heide Vickers. Her daughter, Tiffany Davis, is the co-owner of Nourish and she provides the meals for our west coast store. Tiffany was more than generous to us by sharing her mother's story, and making her delicious soup available for all of us to enjoy and send to our friends.
Tiffany shares the story of her precious mama's soup in her own words:
"My mother's name was Heidemarie Vickers (she went by Heide - spelled with the E at the end which is unusual). She was born in East Germany before the wall was constructed and part of the exodus that put her family in a port town in North Germany called Bremerhaven. She met my father when he was in the Air Force stationed in Germany. They married there and both my sister and I were born there. We moved back to my dad's hometown of Winston-Salem, NC when I was 1 year old.
My mom, who was fluent in about 4 languages, worked many, many jobs. During much of my childhood, she was a Hospice Nurse. She really took care of those folks. She found her passion as a flight attendant in her early 40s. She was always a VERY GOOD cook... Read More...
|
|
|
by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen
If you are going to buy only one book on grief, this is the one to get. It will validate your grief experience, and you can share it with your children. You can leave it on the coffee table so others will pick it up, read it, and then better appreciate your grieving time. The “tips” section at the back of the book is rich with wisdom and concrete recommendations. Shop Here...
|
|
Neither live-action or animated, the Tear Soup video uses the beautiful illustrations from the award-winning book to vividly retell the story of Grandy and her loss. Families, professionals, educators and support groups will all benefit from the insights and comfort provided in this helpful production. Included with the DVD is a viewers guide and grief tips, which can assist in viewing of the DVD and starting some discussions among the viewers. Shop Here...
|
|
|
by Goo Goo Dolls
And you asked me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words and sing out loud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
I need some place simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child who saved this world
And there's ten million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
Read More...
|
|
Colorful cards that feature the beautiful illustrations from Tear Soup and are blank inside so that they will work for various occasions. They are an excellent resource to have on hand for when you need to send some love, but can't say it all in words! Shop Here...
|
|
|
Quote of the Month
I live on good soup, not on fine words. Moliere
|
|
Mission Statement
MISSION: The Grief Watch mission is to offer spiritual, emotional and other support to persons who are grieving and the professional caregivers who assist them. For more information about us please visit our info page.
|
|
|
|
