 Holding hope this Easter for those who are missing their...
Child Partner Ex-Partner Spouse Ex-Spouse Sibling Grandparent Grandchild Friend Parent Step-Parent Co-Worker Cousin Aunt Uncle Niece Nephew Relationship Pet Job Home Freedom Safety Sending you all wishes for a gentle holiday weekend. If you are missing a dear loved one, feeling lonely, or are dealing with any kind of loss. Holidays can lose their sparkle and intensify difficult emotions when you are grieving. They can be a tender reminder of what and who we are missing. It is normal to struggle on these special days and it's okay to change up traditions or skip the celebrations all together if that is easier for you this year. If it feels comforting it may be helpful to share a pleasant memory with a trusted person, enjoy some of your favorite treats, make a donation to a favorite charity, or do something like light a candle or say a prayer to commemorate your person. Whether you acknowledge this holiday or not, take time this weekend to show yourself some love, care, and compassion. Wishing you special moments of serenity and delight that give your heart a little lift. With love and blessings, Sara J. Cobb Founder, My Grief Connection
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 Valentine's Day 2022 "The loss is immeasurable but so is the LOVE.” – Unknown Let us remember those who are missing their beloved Valentine this weekend and reach out to show them love. Valentine's Day can be a painful reminder of the physical absence of those we love who we are missing. It can poignantly prompt memories of those who have died or those we are estranged from. Many of us would prefer to skip February 14th all together, which is totally understandable. If you are hurting today because you are feeling the grief strongly, please do what you need to do to take loving care of yourself and to just make it through this day. If you are up for it, this day can present a beautiful opportunity to celebrate all of the joy the ones we have lost have gifted us, and the chance to honor their memory in the ways that feel special. Here are a few ideas: - Light a candle in their honor - Write a letter telling them all the things you love about them - Do something today that they enjoyed or you had fun doing together - Call or text a friend or family member and tell them how much they mean to you - Treat yourself to a special meal or one of their favorite dishes - Get a massage or take a hot bath - Make a donation to their favorite charity - Buy yourself flowers or chocolates Sending you wishes for a gentle day and hoping the loss does not overshadow the love. With Love, Sara Blue Christmas Service - College Church of the Nazarene - Nampa, Idaho December 21, 2021 College Church of the Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho, invites you to join them in entering a safe, sacred space together to reflect, remember, extend hospitality and stand in solidarity with one another. 12/19/2021 Holiday Grief Support Online Summit with After Chloe and Friends - Dec 22-24, 2021Read Now Holiday Grief Support Online Summit with After Chloe and Friends
December 22 - 24, 2021 All are invited to join host Melo Garcia along with 30 of her friends and colleagues in the grief and loss community at the 6th Annual Holiday Grief Support Online Summit with After Chloe and Friends. My Grief Connection founder, Sara J. Cobb, is honored to be involved in the discussion on the Faith & Grief Panel. The summit will cover all types of loss and give you support to get through the holidays. Join the waitlist for this FREE summit, available from December 22 - 24, 2021. Register to attend HERE  Dealing with Grief During the Holidays
December 10-11, 2021 Do you say yes to invites when you want to say no? Do you struggle with saying your loved one died by suicide? Does the death of your loved one make you feel powerless? Do you struggle with seeing holiday decorations? The holidays are just around the corner, and this can be a challenging time for many; especially for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Peggy Green has created a powerful and timely virtual event that is FREE for all to attend. Dealing with Grief During the Holidays is a free, two-day virtual summit designed with you in mind. On December 10-11, you'll receive the tools and strategies that you need to cope with the pain of the loss of your loved one throughout the holidays. This summit is a blueprint for dealing with grief during the holidays and how to survive your suicide loss. This will allow you to say no instead of yes. You will no longer struggle with accepting how your loved one died. You will take back your power. You will understand the importance of memories of your loved one. To gather more information and to register please visit: https://www.theegriefspecialist.com/summit Watch a preview video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teO2Co7xIR  Sunrise Retreats Holiday Light Display Stroll
December 8, 2021, at 6:00 PM MST. Local Boise Areas Widows, join Sunrise Retreats as they gather for a casual but "bright" stroll through the Scentsy Commons Holiday Light display in Meridian, Idaho, on December 8, 2021, at 6:00 PM MST. Please remember to wear warm clothes and comfortable walking shoes. Meet them at the event entrance, and look for the Sunrise Retreats banner/flag. Register at: https://sunriseretreat.org/december-scentsy-lights Find out more at: www.sunriseretreat.org Surviving the Holidays Without You - Facebook LIVE Replay Join My Grief Connection founder, Sara Cobb, and Ashley Jackson, author and caregiver advocate of Timeless Dream Events on Facebook LIVE replay as they discuss what the holidays look like for those who may have lost a loved one. This is for all those who need a bit of encouragement as we dive into the holiday season! They discuss different ways to cope, realizing that we all grieve differently. They talk about ways to just getting through the holidays in one piece and with some peace of mind! Follow them both on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/timelessdreamevents & www.facebook.com/mygriefconnection  Lament Service: Who Is Missing?
November 20, 2021 at 6:00 PM MST Vineyard Boise in the Sanctuary - 4950 N. Bradley, Garden City, ID 83714 The holiday season is a really difficult time for many families who have faced loss. That is especially felt this year in light of the COVID spread and deaths in our community. Join the Vineyard Boise for an evening to come together, weep together, and acknowledge the loss and to lean into hope. For more information visit: https://www.vineyardboise.org/events  Silent Night Support
Thursday, Dec 24, 2020, Christmas Eve from 3:00 - 3:45 PM EST Are you silently grieving a loss? For those missing a loved one this Christmas Eve, all is NOT calm and bright. Silent Night Support is a virtual meeting to honor and speak of the people in our lives that we love but can't be with this Christmas Eve. The loss you or your family is experiencing does NOT have to be due to the death of a loved one. Please attend if you are grieving a loved one you can't be with for any reason. It could be addiction, incarceration, or untreated mental health issues, among other unfortunate situations. This is a non-religious event and all are welcome. Come to honor your loved one and find a few moments of comfort amongst the chaos. If you would like to participate in the family-friendly grief activity that will be demonstrated, please have the following available: Small candle - electronic candles are better for young children A clear glass jar candle holder Clear modge podge Tissue paper in different colors A photo of the loved one (optional) Words cut from a magazine that honor the loved one Take care of yourself, find a moment of comfort and share your loss with others who can hold it with you this Christmas Eve. This special event will be hosted by Beth Tyson, MA, a psychotherapist, grief and trauma specialist, and "motherless mom". She created Silent Night Support because she wants to offer you a space to express your grief and connect with others on this tender night. To learn more about Beth Tyson, Trauma Care please visit her website www.BethTyson.com. Please register now to save your spot at https://tinyurl.com/silentnightsupport  The Longest Night in the Longest Year
Monday, December 21, 2020 at 5:00 PM MST / 7:00 PM EST Join Pastor Carol Betts and others to acknowledge and give voice to the many losses we have experienced in 2020 for this virtual, live event, hosted by New Albany UMC. https://tinyurl.com/longestnightlongestyear  Blue Christmas Service
Monday, December 21, 2020 at 6:30 PM MST 504 E Dewey Ave, Nampa, ID 83686 Recognizing that this season may be difficult for many, the staff at Nampa College Church has created a Blue Christmas Service, Monday, December 21. 2020 at 6:30pm. This service of lament, liturgy and remembrance invites us to reflect on the pain, the loneliness and sadness we may feel during Christmas time and offer it to God for healing and transformation. This service is not just for those who have lost loved one in this year. This service is also for those who have faced difficulties with health, a job loss, financial setbacks, and situations that may have caused pain, confusion and fear. You are invited to come as you are, come with your burdens and your concerns, and come knowing that God hears the cries of our laments. This service will follow the COVID recommendations in place at Nampa College Church of the Nazarene. https://www.facebook.com/nampaccn/photos/a.120625651312695/4945511138824098  Woman Uses Life Experiences to Help Others Dealing With Grief - WREG News Story Check out this great TV news story that aired today on the WREG in Memphis, TN about the "Hope in the Holidays" webinar My Grief Connection founder, Sara Cobb was blessed to participate in last weekend. This great event was wonderfully hosted by Maya J. McNeary of The Grief Plus Hope Journey. I feel so grateful and honored to have been included in this hope-filled outreach to those who are grieving during the holidays, along with the other amazing sibling loss survivors who are also sharing their stories to help other grievers find hope, including Andrea A. Moore of From Grief to Grind & La'Keshia Allen from A Sibling to Love. Watch the video and read the article here: https://tinyurl.com/helpdealingwithgrief AuthorSara J. Cobb,  Blue Christmas / Noël Blue
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 7:30 PM EST / 5:30 PM MST Blue Christmas (sometimes called The Longest Night) in the Western Christian tradition, is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. On this day, some churches hold a service that honors people that have lost love ones and are experiencing grief. This worship service is traditionally held on or around the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 21th, the Winter Solstice. The service often includes opportunities for expression of grief, pain and lament as well as an opportunity to focus on the promise of hope. In collaboration with the West Island United Churches, the ORA Loss & Living Program is presenting their Blue Christmas / Noël Bleu virtual program. They invite you to enter this meditative space where grief, loss and hope can be expressed freely and without judgment. Register for this FREE event at: https://tinyurl.com/bleunoel  Sunrise Retreats - Holiday Lights Stroll at Scentsy Commons - 15 Dec 2020
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 from 6:30 - 7:20 PM MST Scentsy Commons at the Main Entrance, located at 2901 E. Pine Meridian Idaho, 83642 Join Sunrise Retreats for their December Widow Connect event on Tuesday, December 15th for a Holiday Lights Stroll at Scentsy Commons. Bring your favorite warm beverage and get into the festive spirit by walking through hundreds of lights bundled up in your favorite sweater! Enjoy a casual stroll through the bright lights that cover more than 450 trees and stretch over 43 miles. Find out the details here: https://buff.ly/2K1Eg7N https://sunriseretreat.org/calendar  Surviving the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One
Dr. Betsy Guerra of Better With Betsy is going to share HOW to honor your loved ones during the holiday season in her FREE Webinar, "Surviving the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved On", Tuesday, December 15th at 8:00 PM (EST). Join her as she shares how she survives the holidays and learn: What works What doesn't How to prepare How to honor the loss of your loved one Register for FREE at www.hurt2hope.com/webinar
Bailee Rainwater is a songwriter based in Nashville, TN. On 11 Nov 2020 she released a touching song called ‘Christmastime (Wish You Were Here)’ that's about grieving and missing loved ones during the holidays. It's a magical piece of music that will touch the heart of anyone missing someone special. Click the link to purchase the song for just $0.99: Christmastime (Wish You You Were Here) Follow Bailee on Instagram at @baileerainwater  Overcoming the Pain of Loss: Surviving the Holidays
Wednesday, November 18th at 8:00 PM (EST) Dr. Betsy Guerra of Better With Betsy is going to share HOW to honor your loved ones during the holiday season in her FREE Webinar, "Overcoming the Pain of Loss: Surviving the Holidays", Wednesday, November 18th at 8:00 PM (EST). Join her as she shares how she survives the holidays and learn: - What works - What doesn't - How to prepare - How to honor the loss of your loved one Register at www.hurt2hope.com/webinar  ThanksGrieving - FREE Webinar
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 5:30 PM (MST) Jennifer Black, of 1st 24 Bereavement Concierge Services, will discuss how and why grief affects us, especially during Thanksgiving and the holidays. She'll also share some ways to help you cope, such as implementing new traditions. You'll learn how to be supportive to your grieving friends and family this season. She'll also share our her newest program with you which is designed to help grieving women overcome feelings of loss. Jennifer will address some common questions and answer your questions too during this free event. Please be sure to register in order to receive instructions regarding how to access the event. Register at: https://www.facebook.com/events/710569993227889  Loving Your Griever Through the Holidays November 12, 2020 at 6:00 PM MST / 8:00 EST. Crystal Webster of Sharing Solace is hosting a FREE webinar via Zoom, "Loving Your Griever Through the Holidays"...and it's OK if you are your own griever, and you are invited! Don't let the holidays bring out down. Let's join together for an evening of solace and meaningful ways to honor your loss during this bittersweet time of year. Join the webinar on November 12, 2020 at 6:00 PM MST / 8:00 EST. Bring your cup of hot tea or cocoa and 'Remember. You're not alone.' Register at: https://tinyurl.com/LovingYourGriever  Grief & Halloween
Grief around the holidays can be amplified, and Halloween is certainly no exception. Most of the traditions around Halloween are meant to be fun but they truly can be upsetting and scary for those who are grieving. Triggers are everywhere. Decorations and images of ghosts, zombies, skeletons, gruesome injuries, deadly weapons, tombstones, graveyards are all around. It’s a lot for someone who is grieving to deal with, especially if their loss is very fresh or due to some kind of trauma or violence. Halloween can be tough to get through, but there are some healthy ways to cope. For some helpful tips dealing with the feelings this day might bring up check out this great article, “Halloween and Grief: Ways to Cope with the ‘Death as Fun’ Tradition Time of Year,” at https://eterneva.com/resources/halloween-and-grief Whether you loath it or love, skip it or celebrate it, whether it’s no big deal or highly triggering, it’s all okay. Do what you need to do for you. Sending you all love and wishing for a day that is gentle on your heart.  I Hate Holidays: Learn Ways To Cope During the Holidays October 17, 2020 at 1:30 -2:30 PM (EST) on Zoom As we approach the holiday season we tend to get extra emotional. This meeting hosted by the Children of Angels Foundation and will discuss how we can prepare for such a triggering season and learn healthy ways to cope with grief during the holidays. https://www.coafoundation17.org/events  Navigating Holiday Grief Online Retreat
Rev. Meghan Smith Brooks and Teri Wilder will lead you on a 3.5-hour virtual retreat experience via Zoom to explore, share, feel, heal and experience different modalities that support the process of navigating grief - especially when triggered by holidays or special anniversary dates throughout the year. When: Nov 21, 2020 from 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM (EST) Where: Unraveling Grief Retreat on Zoom Register at: https://www.unravelinggrief.com/events/next-unraveling-grief-retreat-navigating-holiday-grief  Mother’s Day often reminds people of losses they don't often speak of, like the mom who neglected, reject, abused or abandoned them. Moms are not supposed to leave or hurt their children, prefer substance addiction or a romantic relationship instead of their kids. Unfortunately, many do.
Perhaps a son or daughter had a wonderful mother who has died, is dying, or suffers from a disease that has stolen the mom they were from them, and they are missing her on every level imaginable. Many moms are grieving a child or children that died, included mothers who've lost adult children, teens, infants at birth or by miscarriage. The hole in their hearts forever exquisitely tender and incomprehensibly deep. Mothers who are estranged from their kids and/or their child has an addiction, mental illness, severe disability, or has rejected them or their family may ache for a call or visit home or the restoration of health and/or sobriety. Some dream of being a mom but carry the heavy grief of that unfulfilled longing, whether due to infertility, past abortion, miscarriage, medical conditions, or the fact that the family and/or marriage they dreamed of never materialize. If Mother’s Day is a difficult day for you for one of these causes, or for any reason, we acknowledge your loss, sadness and pain. Your feelings are valid and real. It's okay not to be okay. Please be extra kind and gentle with yourself today. For all of you who are missing a special person in your life on Mother's Day, and every day you are not alone. |
Sara J. CobbFounder, My Grief Connection Archives
May 2022
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