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Journeys Through Grief Newsletter ~ July/August 2011 Issue

   Welcome to the third issue of the Journeys Through Grief newsletter!! Coping with any loss (death of a loved one, divorce, job-loss, long-term illness, debilitating health, etc.) is physically draining and emotionally stressful. There are days that you may feel as though you cannot stay mentally alert, or worse, you think you are going crazy. To give you insight and resources to handle these and many other emotional, physical, and spiritual struggles, I've invited some professionals as well as lay people to share their expertise and their personal stories to give you HOPE as you journey through your grief. No one should walk this journey alone.

   What began as a simple, four-page news and information publication two issues ago, the July/August newsletter is packed with twenty pages!! of articles, a book review, a booklist and websites some of our authors find worth mentioning, all of which are devoted to our theme for this issue, Healthy Grieving. I've also included information about support groups in the Kerrville, TX area. If you believe that the Journeys Through Grief newsletter is helpful and informative, I ask two favors. First, that you will subscribe to the Journeys Through Grief blog. Secondly, that you will forward this blog to a friend or friends.

   Sending comforting hugs,
                  Peggy

Coming in the July/August issue

  Healthy Grieving is the theme of this Journeys Through Grief newsletter. It is the biggest issue to date (20 pages) packed with stories about coping with grief, loss, and trauma and how you can cope with the overwhelming feelings and emotions you experience. Grief can drain all our resources; mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Find out what other people have done to take care of themselves while on their personal journey.   

   Several professionals offer suggestions for taking care of yourself during your time of healing.  Among them is a Hospice nurse, a T"ai Chi instructor, a personal trainer, and a clinical social worker. 

   Mark your calendars for July 1st. That is the date the July/August Journeys Through Grief  newsletter will be online. 

May/June Issue ~~ Journeys Through Grief newsletter

by Peggy Sweeney

The death of a child, regardless of their age or the cause of their death, is the most traumatic grief experience. It is very difficult and will take many years for the parents to be able to cope with the overwhelming pain and the sorrow they feel. With tender love, they will eventually learn to survive in a world without their child. Family and friends who have not had a similar experience do not understand the day-to-day struggles or the unique grief that accompanies the death of a child. 

If you are a bereaved parent or if you know someone who is, please share this special May/June issue of the Journeys Through Grief newsletter. If you would like to help parents who have had a child or children die this issue offers information for you to help them cope with their overwhelming grief. 

I wish to thank all those who helped me make this issue possible. You are touching many lives and helping bereaved parents around the globe deal with their enormous pain and sorrow.

With much love and many comforting hugs, Peggy

Coming in the May/June issue

   Gina K is an artist extraordinaire. She helps bereaved parents create an artistic memorial to their deceased child. Gina artfully forms clothing and other items into custom collage paintings. Read all about Gina and her artistry in the May/June issue of the Journeys Through Grief newsletter. 

Also in this issue...

   In 1980, Rhonda, a fifteen year old girl died. Left to mourn her death were her parents. Alone. With no surviving children. In the next issue of the Journeys Through Grief newsletter, you will meet Rhonda’s mother and learn how she and her husband embarked on their journey to create an organization to help other bereaved parents who have no surviving children. A loving tribute to their precious daughter.
    The Gifts and Talents section will highlight the personal lives of John and Susie Grimes. Our book review is the Bereaved Parent. I have also listed several other books and websites of interest. A young lady shares her very personal story about miscarriage. Jim Carpenter, chaplain with our local Peterson Hospice, has written a very moving article about the death of his son by suicide. If you are a bereaved parent, please read about A Safe Place; a weekend retreat to be held in the Fall of this year in the beautiful Texas Hill country. 
   The May/June issue is devoted to bereaved parents and their families. It is filled with personal stories written by parents who want to help others like themselves. If you are a grieving parent or know someone who is, I encourage you to bookmark this page. This very special issue will be available May 1st. You may read it at journeysthrugrief.blogspot.com. If you prefer a print copy, please contact Peggy Sweeney at peggy@grimesfuneralchapels.com or by visiting Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville or Bandera, TX.

Journeys Through Grief Newsletter ~ Mar/Apr 2011

   Please click on March/April 2011 issue to view the newsletter. Our next issue will feature information and help for bereaved parents and their families.

by Peggy Sweeney

     Ever mindful of the need to help adults and children cope with the devastation of grief, I recently designed a bi-monthly Journeys Through Grief newsletter for Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville, Texas; my place of employment.

     Although we usually associate grief with the death of a loved one, the newsletter will address an array of losses such as divorce, job loss, geographical relocation, disabling illness or injury to name a few. We will explore the many facets of grief, the reasons we grieve, our reactions to loss and trauma in addition to healing our grief. Most of you already know that unpleasant events can and often do have a very negative effect on your emotional health and physical well-being. As your guide for understanding grief, I will share my personal struggles with grief as well as offer positive coping skills and resources to help you resolve many of your issues. I will invite others to share their personal stories of grief and reinvestment in life. Noted experts in the fields of mental health and bereavement will contribute articles on such topics as depression and suicide, journaling, activities to reduce stress, etc. The Journeys Through Grief newsletter will also highlight books of interest and helpful websites to assist you in your healing.
     Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is a particular topic of interest you would like to see featured or a book you found helpful along life’s journey. You may contact me at peggy@grimesfuneralchapels.com.