Alone. In the darkness, often feeling so incredibly hopeless. This was my reality of my grief for many, many months after Lily left this earth. Most don’t get the utter despair that comes with watching your child take their last breath. It’s hard to explain to others what it’s like feeling so empty. Feeling like there is this gaping hole in your heart that is never, ever going to be filled.
There were so many times in the first year after Lily died that I wondered if anyone would ever get it. Would I ever feel less alone in this life of continual grief? A life with PTSD. This summer I found a group of people who had all felt the same feelings, same challenges, same experiences that I did.
I was no longer alone.
It was a beautiful moment to be surrounded by people who knew what those last breaths looked like. Others who know exactly the heartache that takes over your life. I felt so comforted, so supported, and for the first time in a year, not alone.
I remember thinking that I would hate being in a grief group. I personally don’t like constantly talking about the fact that my child has died. But our GFPD Sensing Connections Grief Support group was so far from that. I was suddenly immersed in eight different lives that were all different but all the same.
I felt like I could breathe again.
I was in a group where I could talk about how the grief will stop and gut punch you out of nowhere for no reason, and they didn’t try to explain away the situation. Not a single person gave me pitying eyes. It was the biggest breath of fresh air I’ve taken since we received Lily’s diagnosis.
To be in a group among others who are just like you is a gift the GFPD has given all parents. They have continued their mission of family and hope and even research, by helping the bereaved parents have a group where they can openly, truthfully, and often tragically, explain our grief.
Whether the grief is fresh or has been festering for years, GFPD Sensing Connections is a welcomed balm to your open and broken heart.
Sensing Connections will meet virtually on the first Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM CT/4:00 PM ET for 90 minutes.
The purpose of the group is to provide emotional support, death education, and normalization of the grief process in a shared, supportive community.
• Enrollment is free.
• Interested parents should be able to commit to the entire series (10 total meetings).
• All participants are sent a participant packet with descriptions of the topics that will be covered at each meeting and suggested resources.
• Registration is now open until May 30, 2020.
If you are interested in joining, please complete and submit the following form: http://ow.ly/vIIP50zlK20