“Before the day that your parent died, you’d never lived a single day on this planet without them. You might not have seen your parent every day or talked with them every day, but the only way you ever knew and understood this world was with them living in it. For better or worse, they were part of your reality for as long as you had a reality. It is no wonder that it feels utterly impossible to make sense of a world that exists without them.” -whatsyourgrief.com
Resources
Things to Keep in Mind When Dealing with Anticipatory Grief
June 8, 2021
“Anticipatory Grief: the nitty gritty
“Here is the thing about grief – though we think of it as something that happens after a death, it often begins long before death arrives. It can start as soon as we become aware that death is a likelihood. Once death is on the horizon, even just as a possibility, it is natural that we begin to grieve.” -whatsyourgrief.com
Recognizing Displacement in Grief
April 14, 2021
“Sometimes the displacement is obvious – you know exactly when and why it is happening. Other times you just find yourself being more irritable, annoyed, or angry at the people around you, even when they have done nothing wrong.”-whatsyourgrief.com
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New Virtual Program for Teens Experiencing Issues Due to Loss
March 19, 2021
For Immediate Release:Contact: Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301
Community Hospice Offers New Virtual Quaran-Teen Challenge Program
MODESTO, CA (March 19, 2021) –Community Hospice Grief Support Services Department is pleased to introduce Quaran-Teen Challenge a new virtual program for teens, ages 13-17, who are experiencing issues due to loss.
During this time of tremendous uncertainty due to the COVID-19 public health emergency crisis, many have mourned with teens and other kids who have missed out on milestones and events. Parents and friends have shown creativity and adapted to make the best of these trying times by offering drive-by graduations and online celebrations. In some spaces however, you can find voices diminishing those grieving losses of events, hopes, or plans as unimportant or insignificant because someone did not die. Whether it is a stranger commenting on an online news story or a beloved grandparent, those kinds of comments can sting.
“For many kids, specifically teens, this type of message suggests that their feelings and emotions are invalid and should not be expressed, which is opposite of what should be happening. Instead, we should be listening and offering reassurance and acceptance of our young people. In place of the push to get things back to “normal” while the pandemic continues, it is important to take the time to validate their emotions,” shared Karina Castillo, LCSW, Community Hospice Children’s Grief Program Manager. “We all crave normalcy but with nothing normal, it’s hard for everyone, especially kids, to cope.”
Being an adolescent during normal times can be trying enough for many teens. Not only are teens adjusting to the normal physical changes of puberty, high school social pressures, and growing homework loads, they now are faced with additional stress presented by the public health emergency crisis, civil distress and the political strife that surrounds us all. As a result, teens may be feeling more stressed out, overwhelmed, anxious, angry or even depressed from the losses they have endured. If you or a teen you know needs support, Quaran-Teen Challenge is your safe place to hang out and get help.
Quaran-Teen Challenge, facilitated by trained grief support staff, is an eight-week virtual support group hosted on Zoom. Participants will be offered education, insights and coping skills to emerge stronger and more resilient. While there is no fee to participate, registration is required to join the Quaran-Teen Challenge group. The next group begins March 25, 2021 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information or to register call 209.578.6318.
About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors, embracing individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all. Care extends to more than 2,000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, retirement communities and at the 16-bed inpatient Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, call 209.578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.
Grief Video Library
February 17, 2021
Blog Recognizes Grief and Valentine’s Day
February 12, 2021
“ Valentine’s day is one of those “I appreciate you” holidays, like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. As such, there’s a whole faction of people who would prefer to ignore the holiday altogether…you know…because the person they’re supposed to appreciate is [gone].”– What’s Your Grief offers a few options for making it through the day.
Spring 2021 Children’s Grief Groups Announced
February 10, 2021
What is ‘Toxic Positivity’ in grief?
January 20, 2021
“Positivity and pain can live side by side. Neither cancels out the other. Finding hope, gratitude, or positivity never takes away from the significance of our loved ones life, death, or our grief. Instead, that positivity allows us to know that we can bring our loved one and our grief with us as we move forward in a life with meaning and purpose.”- What’s Your Grief
Author blogs about selfless service and how it can help heal grief
January 8, 2021
“It’s my belief that I’m simply being asked to pay attention to suffering, and to step in when I sense an opportunity.”-Jan DeBlieu. To read Jan’s blog on Using Your Grief To Help Others and Heal Yourself.
2021 Children’s Virtual Grief Support Groups Registration Open
December 23, 2020
