5 Ways to Heal through Nature

February 26, 2016 by TRU Community Care

hiking photo How can we consciously use nature to heal from grief? It’s a question that comes up here at TRU Community Care, and we recognize, especially in our active, outdoor-focused community, that people heal in many different ways. Here are several suggestions from Mother Nature Network.

Explore nature-based rituals – There are a myriad of options for incorporating nature into ceremonies.
Get out more – Simply set a routine to keep moving after the loss of a loved one.
Use visualization – Hold images of nature in your mind, as an inspiration to keep going.
Start a garden: For those who are grieving, gardening has many therapeutic qualities.
Be creative – There is no “right way”… seek out ideas and activities that work for you.
Adapted from “How Nature Can Help Us Heal From Grief” by Sami Grover. Mother Nature Network, April 16, 2013

Helping Kids Survive the Holidays

November 24, 2015 by TRU Community Care

Holidays are difficult for kids & teens that have lost a loved one and are learning to navigate their grief journey. We understand how complicated this time can be for them, and have several groups offerings to help them survive the holidays. For more information on them or to see our full list of grief groups for kids and teens, click here.

Healing with Horses – Coping with the Holidays

This is a two week workshop offered for all ages 5-18. We combine equine-assisted activities with peer support to share stories, play games and be together remembering our special people who have died.

We learn various ways to care for horses and ourselves during the holidays. We will be talking about what helps us and what things we want to do this holiday season with our families.

You must pre-register to participate.

Meeting: December 8th & 15th
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Location: Medicine Horse, 8778 Arapahoe Road, Boulder CO, 80303

Download the flyer here: Coping with the Holidays – Healing with Horses 2015

Healing Circles Glass Memories Teen Group

We are also offering our teen Grief and Glass workshop. These workshops are for teens aged 13-18 who have had a death loss and want to remember their special person by creating some glass art.The group will learn glass blowing safety skills, how to marver, blow, shape and manipulate the glass with some color application. They will learn how to make a bowl, an ornament and a paper weight.

The maximum number for this group is eight and there is a registration interview required with both teen and parent/guardian prior to acceptance.

Meeting: December 20th or 27th
9:30 am – 12:00 noon

Location: C & H Glassworks, 11354 West 13th Ave #6, Lakewood, CO 80211

Download the flyer here: Coping with the Holidays 2015

Spring

April 20, 2015 by TRU Community Care

All seasons have a beginning, middle and end, as do all feelings, even in grief. Sometimes the winter darkness, the flurries of holidays, and desire to be with our loved ones who are no longer with us, makes us forget that spring bring new growth, more light and changes.

Each season in grief has its own set of unique memories. Spring is often a time to start to create new ways of being. We clean out our closets, we make plans for the summer, we spend more time outside and we decide how we want to be in this season with our grief. Maybe we try something new? Maybe we plant flowers or trees in honor of our special person? Whatever it is we decide to do in spring, grief is with us and so is our special person. We do not forget them. The continuing bond we have is still there, ever changing as we continue to change in our grieving process. Hope is the courage that continues to guide us. Be gentle with our grief.

TRU in Boulder’s Tips on Supporting Grieving Kids & Teens At the End of the School Year

May 16, 2014 by TRU Community Care

The last day of school isn’t something that all kids look forward to. Children or teens who are grieving a loss can find this a complicated time. Here are some tips that can help:

Tip 1: Not all kids look forward to the end of the school year.

When a child is grieving, the end of the year may represent a loss and can re-activate or amplify grief.

Tip 2: School provides a sense of structure.

Being in school provides structure and respite for grieving kids. There might be an increase in anxiety in anticipation of more fluid summer plans.

Tip 3: There are signs that a grieving child might need more support:

The child or teen may exhibit increased outbursts, become more easily overwhelmed by stress or emotional situations, show increased withdrawal, and/or an additional need for adult attention.

Tip 4: Grieving kids and teens are often unaware their behaviors are connected to the loss they experienced.

Providing support through the end of year transition is important. You can do it by listening, providing a compassionate presence, and serving as an advocate if needed.

TRU Community Care’s Boulder Healing Circles program can help.

Call 303-604-5330 or click here to find how TRU’s grief support program for children, teens and adults can make a difference.

7 Tips for Surviving Mother’s Day When Your Child Has Died

April 29, 2014 by TRU Community Care

7 Tips for Surviving Mother’s Day When Your Child Has Died

Over the first year following a death, you’ll have to go through the “firsts”—the first birthday, holiday season, and other special days. It can be helpful to prepare for these special days so you don’t get caught off guard.

Tip 1: Be gentle with yourself

You may feel anger, sadness, guilt or a range of other emotions because your child died before you. These emotions are very common with grief—don’t try to suppress them.

Tip 2: Seek out emotional support

Seeking support is a sign of courage, not weakness. Everyone grieves in their own time and their own way.

Tip 3: Be patient with yourself

Talk openly with trusted family and friends about your child and encourage them to talk openly with you too—hearing your child’s name mentioned can be helpful. Plant a flower or tree with a marker that bears your baby’s name.

Tip 4: Create your own memorial

You can be creative and put your energy into doing something in memory of your child.

Tip 5: Light a candle

If you never held your baby due to a pregnancy loss, celebrate your child by lighting a candle.

Tip 6: Give yourself permission to grieve, talk, and journal

If you have not been able to conceive, follow the suggestions above that are right for you. Give yourself permission to grieve, talk, and journal.

Tip 7: Talk about your feelings with your spouse

Talk about your feelings with your spouse and encourage him or her to express to you how they are feeling.

If you’d like information or resources on grief and child loss, call (303) 604-5300, email griefservices@trucare.org, or visit our grief services page.

The last day of school isn’t something that all kids look forward to. Children or teens who are grieving a loss can find this a complicated time. Here are some tips that can help:

Tip 1: Not all kids look forward to the end of the school year.

Tip 2: School provides a sense of structure.

Tip 3: There are signs that a grieving child might need more support:

Tip 4: Grieving kids and teens are often unaware their behaviors are connected to the loss they experienced.

TRU Community Care’s Boulder Healing Circles program can help.

7 Tips for Surviving Mother’s Day When Your Child Has Died

Tip 1: Be gentle with yourself

Tip 2: Seek out emotional support

Tip 3: Be patient with yourself

Tip 4: Create your own memorial

Tip 5: Light a candle

Tip 6: Give yourself permission to grieve, talk, and journal

Tip 7: Talk about your feelings with your spouse

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