Upcoming Seminar on Monday, August 10: “’Nobody Can Help You With Your Grief’ and Other Misconceptions”

This seminar has been designed to dispel some of the common misconceptions of grief. By now you have probably encountered quite a few of them, such as “Tears of grief are only a sign of weakness;” “Being upset and openly mourning means you are ‘weak’ in your faith;” “You should try not to think about the person who died on holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays,” and (my personal favorite) “After someone you love dies, the goal should be to ‘get over’ your grief as soon as possible.”

When?—August 10 from 6pm-7pm

Where?--LCCU Conference Room (#140) Louisiana Central Credit Union Building at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd.

“Grief Can Be a Burden But Also an Anchor..” (Sarah Dessen)

Moments ago, I ran across this quote from Sarah Dessen from The Truth About Forever: “Grief can be a burden but also an anchor. You get used to the weight, to how it holds you to a place.” I have to admit, as of this moment, I am unsure exactly what I think about the proposal of grief as an “anchor” in a positive context.

So, it is time to poll the “audience.” What do you think? Is there a way in which grief can have positive benefits on your life by helping you be more grounded? Why or why not?

“I Would’ve Loved You Anyway” by Trisha Yearwood

“I Would’ve Loved You Anyway” is a song about a choice made years before that the writer would repeat, even knowing the pain he or she would eventually endure. How about you? Knowing how you feel as you deal with the loss of your loved one, would you make the same choice again?

When a heart is broken, one can be tempted to second-guess decisions of the past, and think thoughts such as, “If I had only known, I would have never said ‘yes’ to the first date, and then I wouldn’t be feeling this pain.” or “If I just hadn’t gone so far out on that limb, the fall would not have been as painful.” Yet, if you could truly go back and make that choice again, with the knowledge you have now, would you really hold back or not take the plunge, or would you proclaim with the songwriter, “I Would’ve Loved You Anyway”?

“Grief Knits Two Hearts…” (4-Session Support Group Coming Soon)

I simply love the quote below and have definitely found this to be true, as I have been privileged to watch support group members connect with others and gain encouragement over the last few years. It can truly be a moment of healing when you can look into the eyes of another and see true recognition of the pain you are experiencing. You are reminded, “I really am not the only one.”

We are offering a 4-Session Support Group for our St. Joseph Hospice family and friends. The sessions will meet the first four Thursdays in August Louisiana Central Credit Union Building Conference Room 140 at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd.from 6:00pm-7:30pm.

The group will discuss different aspects of the grief process, using Dr. William Worden’s Task Model of the Mourning Process as a general framework.

August 6 Accepting the Reality of the Loss

August 13 Working Through the Pain of Grief

August 20 Adjusting to an Environment in Which the Deceased is Missing

August 27 Emotionally Relocating the Deceased and Embracing Life Again

A small evening meal will be provided for each group meeting.

If you would like to register or just have questions, please call Kim at (504) 734-0140 or contact via e-mail at ksmith@stjosephhospice.com.

“…Some Beauty Lingers on in Each Memory…”

As I read this poem moments ago, my heart was touched especially by the second half: “But we can know that nothing that is loved is ever lost, and no one who has ever touched a heart can really pass away, because some beauty lingers on in each memory of which they’ve been a part!” (Ellen Brenneman) My mind immediately flew to those I’ve loved and lost and how, in a split second, I can bring back a memory and feel my heart impacted again. How about you? What are the “memories” you visit which touch your heart? Even in absentia, those we love have the ability to encourage us through the gift of memory.

Copyright © 2015 by Kim Smith

“There Is a Sacredness in Tears…”

How many times have I had someone begin to tear up when they are speaking about their loved one, and their knee-jerk reaction is to apologize for their tears? I encourage them to instead let them flow and  to be thankful for the God-given ability to cry and allow some of the pain to “leak out.”

Washington Irving proposes “there is a sacredness in tears” and “they speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.” I definitely agree with him. I think about some of my own experiences. Last night I wiped the tear from the cheek of someone I dearly love. For me, that was a moment frozen in time…the image flashes to my mind as I type.

Have the tears of another ever touched your heart in a manner mere words could never reach? Maybe someone just sat silently and cried with you as you allowed your pain to flow. I’m betting you will never forget that person and the love for you which flowed visibly out in their tears.

 

Copyright © 2015 by Kim Smith

Social Event for Thursday, July 16, 2015: “Haven of Hope” for Adult Children & Grandchildren

On Thursday, July 16, 2015, St. Joseph Hospice will host our “Haven of Hope” social event for the adult children & grandchildren of our St. Joseph Hospice patients. You are invited to attend this bi-monthly event, designed specifically to create a connection between the adult children of our St. Joseph Hospice patients. This is a social group, and NOT a support group, although you should feel a sense of support as a result of the social interaction.

For each meeting, we will provide a light meal (i.e., finger sandwiches w/dessert and tea/water). No registration needed. For more information, please call Kim at (504) 734-0140 or contact via e-mail at ksmith@stjosephhospice.com.

TIME: 6pm-7:30pm

LOCATION:

St. Joseph Hospice & Palliative Care

824 Elmwood Park Blvd.

LCCU Conference Room 140

New Orleans, LA 70123

Social Events for Wednesday, July 15, 2015

• “Heart2Heart Connections” for Widows – Wednesday, July 15, 2015, from 10am-11:30am at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd., LCCU Conference Room 140, NOLA
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• “Coffee & Handshakes” for Widowers – Wednesday, July 15, 2015, from 8am-9:30am at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd., LCCU Conference Room 140, NOLA.