It hurts to lose someone, and healing from your grief is a long, hard process. For the last nine years, Home Hospice has been partnering with local churches to offer the support program called GriefShare.
GriefShare is a warm caring environment, where people walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Groups meet weekly to help you face things like isolation, confusion, anger and hurt.
Renee Roberts first attended GriefShare at the suggestion of her mother in August of 2011. Renee’s father had passed away several months before.
“I was having a lot of anxiety and panic attacks and my mom thought it would be a good thing for me, but she did not realize everything she would get out of it as well.”
GriefShare leaders understand how you feel and have a real concern for individuals experiencing the grief of loss… helping them to begin to gain closure, and discover hope for the future.
“I feel like God put me there, I have met so many people and I have watched so many transformations… there’s people I know who have gone back four and five times, and we have grown to be friends.”
In fact, Renee participated in three full 13-week sessions, and has been volunteering at every session since!
“I’ve seen people come in that can’t even talk about their loved one, or mention their name without breaking down…. Come in on the first session and do nothing but cry, and then they open up a little bit more, and by the thirteenth week, it’s amazing to see the progress… they laugh, they share stories, there’s a glimmer of happiness in them – it’s amazing!”
You’ll probably feel nervous about going to GriefShare the first time. Those feelings go away quickly for most people as you begin to understand you are not alone in this grief journey.
“Some people have family telling them – you need to get over this, it’s been long enough!- At GriefShare they are supported by people who say you can grieve as long as you need to, and nobody’s grief is the same. They keep coming back for the support.”
Again, it hurts to lose someone… find help at GriefShare.
Sessions are free to attend, and begin Tuesday, August 23rd from 6-9pm at St. Andrew Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1415 N. Grandview in Odessa. Please call Home Hospice (432) 580-9990 for more information.