I thought it might have some younger parents and I thought we might be the old timers now that it has been a year. At the group in Skagit it was all people in the first three years, with a counselor facilitator. This group is facilitated by a lead parent.
We were the youngest, by decades. It was interesting to share with people who are 18, 8, and 5 years out. Most with teen losses, but some older. I really felt compassion for one woman who lost three young children in a fire in the fifties and then one recently.
We have a truly shared understanding of each other's loss, and the emotions and difficult decisions to follow, such as when and how to pack up their things and how to move ahead in your life.
Some change their name or their job, get a tattoo, wear their clothes, wear a button with their son's face.
Eighteen years later and finally feeling happy; eight years no change; to us- well, it's been so recent for you.
I met a woman in her seventies who lost her fifty year old less than a year ago and we really connected. We'll get together outside of group, I think. It's interesting how this loss removes other barriers of understanding and all of a sudden this stranger can see into your soul more than most.
Rebecca
