A Year of Healing - Carrying Their Love Forward Bereavement Newsletter
“ In every shared story, every laugh remembered, love continues to live with your heart .”
Finding Your Way Through The Newsletter
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Reflections On The First Year of Loss
Most people expect to feel a lot be Ʃ er as the one-year mark following a loved one’s death approaches. They become concerned if they s Ɵ ll feel intense waves of grief. But this may prove unrealis Ɵ c. A lot of energy the fi rst year goes into physical survival and learning to adjust. As a result, the emo Ɵ onal impact could be greater the second year. This may be a good Ɵ me to assess honestly where you are in your journey of grief. Think back to those fi rst couple of months following the death and ask yourself, “How have my feelings changed over Ɵ me?” “How have I expressed my emo Ɵ ons of grief?” “What adjustments have I successfully made?” “In what ways have I started to reinvest in living?” If you think you have go Ʃ en o ff track, seek counseling to help get you back on track. This is also a good Ɵ me to make a plan for how you will mark the one-year anniversary of your loved one’s death. On anniversaries, holidays, change of seasons, and other special occasions, grief can crash in on you like a wave. You therefore need a plan to help anchor yourself. The most important thing you can do, however, is maintain an open and nonjudgmental a ƫ tude toward your experience. Victor Frankl, famous holocaust survivor and author, once said, “Everything precious, including our dignity, can be taken from us, but the one thing that cannot be taken away is our power to choose what a ƫ tude we will take towards the events that have happened.” May you approach the ups and downs of your grief journey with openness and op Ɵ mism. The Next Phase You have successfully navigated your way to the fi rst year of loss. This might not have been what you wanted or expected, but you have survived! You are now on your way to the Next Phase of healing, armed with educa Ɵ on, determina Ɵ on and posi Ɵ ve goals. Focus on a posi Ɵ ve outcome , a n Ɵ cipate it , e xpect it. Plan on it! It will come! Whatever you pay a Ʃ en Ɵ on to and focus upon, will become more powerful in your life. If there is sadness; fear and pain will follow. Do not dwell on it. Accept it, but do not invite it in. Pain is an acceptable guest, but it is not a welcome long-term visitor. Do not fi ght fear, use it. Fear is a natural result of loss and a part of the healing process. Fear, when used as the energy, can help us meet our challenges. You will successfully meet your challenges. If you fi nd that you need addi Ɵ onal help is needed, please do not hesitate to call us, or a Ʃ end one of the Specialized Support Groups at the Center for Compassionate Care.
Healing, Gently F Finding Your Way After One Year
Over the past year, we have sent you mailings on a variety of grief-related topics, and we hope they have o ff ered comfort and support along the way. While this is the fi nal mailing in the series, that does not mean your grief is behind you—or that it should be. Grief has no Ɵ meline, and feelings can remain tender for a Ɵ me. However, we believe you now have essen Ɵ al tools and our compassionate guidance will help you con Ɵ nue naviga Ɵ ng this journey. Life may look and feel di ff erent from what it once was—and not always in ways you would choose. Yet, step by step, life con Ɵ nues to unfold. In Ɵ me, you may fi nd yourself gradually reinves Ɵ ng your energy and discovering moments of purpose, connec Ɵ on, and hope once again. To help you progress towards healing, con Ɵ nue to do the following: • Listen to your feelings Give of yourself to others • Accept what cannot be changed • Enjoy the con fi dence you’re gaining • Keep trus Ɵ ng in a higher power to help you heal . Do something each day that nourishes your spirit • Seek addi Ɵ onal professional counseling if you think it could be bene fi cia l Regardless of where you fi nd yourself, try not to adhere to a Ɵ metable. The journey of grief doesn’t have a calendar or a speci fi c des Ɵ na Ɵ on. While things will never be the same, you will gradually adjust and heal. Eventually you will be able to embrace past memories, as you live fully in the present and look forward to a life of renewed meaning and purpose.
Finding Strength Through Loss • Trust that the pain will pass • Get the support you need • Reach out to family and friends • Commemorate your loss • Write a le Ʃ er to your loved one • Cul Ɵ vate an apprecia Ɵ on for solitude
Experiencing the death of a loved one makes life less certain, and you now might doubt yourself and the assump Ɵ ons you’ve long held. Your world has changed and what may have seemed secure is now gone. As a result, you may be struggling with uncertain Ɵ es related to your life’s philosophy and beliefs. You might be asking ques Ɵ ons like, • “What signi fi cance does my faith have for me now?” • “What is most important in my life?” • “Who am I apart from my loved one?” • “Where can I best u Ɵ lize my abili Ɵ es and gi Ō s in the future?” Remember, your life has changed and it’s quite legi Ɵ mate to feel unsure about these ma Ʃ ers. The important thing is to move slowly and at your own pace. Allow the ques Ɵ ons, but don’t pressure yourself to fi nd the answers right now. Answers will emerge slowly over Ɵ me. For now, live with a heart and mind that is open to the future, yet fully present in your ac Ɵ vi Ɵ es today. In his book, “From Beginning to End,” author Robert Fulghum says, “There is indeed a Ɵ me for all things under heaven. And for all the great rites of passage; Weddings, Funerals, Gradua Ɵ ons and Re Ɵ rements. For sunrise and sundown, for moon, rain, and for stars. A Ɵ me for the fi rst breath—’ah’— and the last breath —’oh.’ But in the mean Ɵ me, there is the in fi nite moment — A Ɵ me to do the dishes, And a Ɵ me to walk the dog.” Healing Unfolds In Its Own Way Your Journey is Uniquely Your Own
May you fi nd sa Ɵ sfac Ɵ on and meaning in the endless moments of each day.
Re-Invest in Yourself
We acknowledge that the quality of life is Ɵ ed to what ma Ʃ ers most to each individual, and we can only begin to understand that when we begin to understand who they are as individuals .
The Search for Meaning
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ” C.S. Lewis Following are some ques Ɵ ons for con Ɵ nued re fl ec Ɵ on if you are struggling for a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. You may want to write about these in your personal journal:. • Since my loved one’s death, I have found reason to go on because ... • The things I have to look forward to are ... • I recognize the following strengths in myself ... • The biggest challenges I face are ... • My loved one’s death has changed the following priori Ɵ es in my life: • The most important things I have learned are ... • This is what helps me fi nd true meaning in my pain ... • The significance my faith prior to my loved one's death is ... • The role my faith now have in my life ... • This experience has taught me ...
FEBRUARY 2026 SUPPORT GROUPS Where Grief Meets Community
Sharing your experiences can ease feelings of isolation, provide emotional relief, and help you gain insight and coping strategies. Whether you choose to speak or simply listen, support groups can be a powerful step toward healing. Our support groups offer a safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and heal. Most groups are held online via Zoom. All California residents are welcome. Space is limited, and registration/screening is required.
General Grief & Loss Group Thursdays ǀ 10:30 AM – Noon Partner/Spouse Loss Group Mondays ǀ 1:00 – 2:30 PM Mondays ǀ 6:00 – 7:30 PM Tuesdays ǀ 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Sudden & Unexpected Loss Group Wednesdays ǀ 5:30 – 7:00 PM In-Person General Grief Group 2 ND & 4 th Wednesdays ǀ 5:00 – 6:30 PM Fridays ǀ 12:30 – 2:00 PM Call for location Movement Through Grief Group Fridays ǀ 11:00 AM – Noon Call for location Journey Through Grief Book Club Every other Monday ǀ 5:30 – 6:30 PM Call for dates and book selection
Wednesdays ǀ 5:30 – 7:00 PM NEW 1 st and 3 rd Wednesdays ǀ 4:00 – 5:30 PM Thursdays ǀ 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Caregiver Support Group Tuesdays ǀ 11:00 AM - Noon Parent Loss Group Tuesdays ǀ 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Healing Through Creativity – Expressive Arts Grief Support Group for Adults NEW Eight-Week Session. $120 for the series. Fridays ǀ 1:00 – 3:00 PM (Mar. 6 – Apr. 24, 2026) Escondido - Call for more information First session on March 6
1 st and 3 rd Wednesdays ǀ 6:00 – 7:30 PM 2 nd and 4 th Thursdays ǀ 6:00 – 7:30 PM Young Adult Grief Group Wednesdays ǀ 5:30 – 6:30 PM Child Loss Group 1 st and 3 rd Mondays ǀ 6:00 – 7:30 PM 1 st and 3 rd Wednesdays ǀ 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Griefinfo@ehospice.org ǀ 833.349.2054 to register or for more information. https://elizabethhospice.org/grief-support/
We offer specialized peer-based support groups for children ages 3-17 at our children’s grief centers in Escondido and Mission Valley. Groups are also available at elementary, middle, and high school campuses throughout San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County. For more information, contact Childrensbereavement@ehospice.org or 760.223.7377. Since 1978, The Elizabeth Hospice has been providing medical and emotional support to adults and children facing the challenges of an advanced, life-limiting illness and restoring hope to those who are grieving. The Elizabeth Hospice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization. Federal Tax ID 95-3275679. Rev. 1. 21 .2 6
No child should grieve alone.
Caring for community members is a key element of our mission at The Elizabeth Hospice. Highly trained, compassionate professionals and volunteers in our Children’s Bereavement Program support children through their grief and loss. Services are free of charge and open to everyone in San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County.
Children’s Grief Support Groups
Camp Spero
School-Based Grief Support Groups 8-week, onsite program 22 school districts Grade 2 to Grade 12
Community Grief Education & Support Crisis intervention for students and faculty Grief and loss training for professionals Speaking engagements
Grief-related activities Traditional camp fun
Biweekly, 90-minute, evening sessions Concurrent parent/ guardian groups Escondido and Mission Valley locations Ages 3 to 17
Newcomer and Alumni camps Ages 7 to 17
For more information, email childrensbereavement@ehospice.org or call 760-223-7337 .
elizabethhospice.org | 800.797.2050
Cuddle Keepsakes preserve memories of a loved one who has passed away. The Elizabeth Hospice provides bereaved families in the community
with precious keepsakes made from an article of clothing from their loved one.
Our incredibly talented team of volunteers can transform a favorite VKLUWEORXVHRUSDMDPDVLQWRDVWXHG EHDURUVWXHGSLOORZWKDWVHUYHVDVD cuddly reminder of someone special. :HRHURQHEHDUDQGRQHSLOORZDW no charge to each bereaved family. Additional Cuddle Keepsakes can be purchased (Cuddle Bears are $25 HDFK &XGGOH3LOORZVDUHHDFK For more information or to become a Cuddle Keepsakes volunteer, contact Cindy at 760.294.5864.
“The Elizabeth Hospice transformed my husband’s summer robe into a Cuddle Bear. I’m planning to give it to my future grandchild. What a beautiful way to keep my husband’s memory alive.” —Michele, Hospice Family Member
For more than 40 years, The Elizabeth Hospice has been providing medical, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their IDPLOLHVIDFLQJWKHFKDOOHQJHVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKDOLIHOLPLWLQJFRQGLWLRQDQGUHVWRULQJKRSHWRJULHYLQJFKLOGUHQDQGDGXOWV 7KH(OL]DEHWK+RVSLFHLVD F QRQSURȴWRUJDQL]DWLRQ)HGHUDO7D[Ζ'
This heartfelt message was given by Molly Robb, MSW, the Children’s Bereavement Program Coordinator, to the attendees at the recent Light Up a Life event.
“Good afternoon. It’s an honor to be sharing this space with each of you here today. I want to start out by acknowledging and appreciating the fact that each of us in this room are not only sharing a space with one another, but we are holding space for one another and for our loved ones who made such remarkable imprints on our lives. And that makes this a sacred space. Day-to-day, most days, we exist in a bustling, fast-paced society, where we are often juggling endless responsibilities, but today, you made the intentional choice to spend your afternoon here. I want to thank you for taking the time to slow down, to honor your loved ones, to honor one another, and to honor yourselves. Each of you matter, and each of your loved ones matter. Every one of us in this room knows what it is to be touched by the complex experience of grief. We know that we sometimes endure minutes, days, or months of darkness and heaviness carrying our grief. We know that our grief can sometimes feel like a burden we are trudging through life with, and the weight of it can topple us over at times. And that is understandable. Grief is messy, and it does not play by any set of rules. What would it be like for you to give yourself permission to be messy, to accept that messiness, and furthermore, what would it be like for you to embrace that messiness? Each of us here are immersed in this messiness, wearing it like a badge of honor, because we have been touched by the bright light of someone with whom we can no longer share time and space. Messiness makes sense, and managing the messiness takes time, patience, and it calls for us to show ourselves more grace. Our grief demands to be witnessed, and our healing depends on the support of those in our community. As the esteemed writer Bell Hooks so brilliantly proclaimed, “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion”. But just because we can no longer physically be with those loved ones, does that mean that their light ever
really extinguishes? I don't believe it does. When someone we love dies, it's not hard to understand that our world can suddenly seem dim. The rest of the world seemingly keeps spinning and moving along, but our world as we knew it is forever changed. So how do we go about finding that light in our lives again? Earlier, I mentioned giving ourselves permission to be messy in our grief. And now, I’m calling for each of us to give ourselves permission to embrace any tiny glimmers of light, joy and hope that manage to break through the heaviness of our grief. Think about the dazzling light that your special person emanated. How can you encapsulate that light and let it shine through you and throughout your life? Maybe it's through sharing memories and stories of your person with others, maybe it’s through honoring your person through traditions or rituals or prayer…Or maybe it’s also by allowing ourselves to both bravely acknowledge and embrace the messy and dark parts of our grief when they emerge, while also welcoming any small glimmers of light that break through that darkness. Both dark and light can coexist. Leonard Cohen was a gifted poet and songwriter whose words seem particularly fitting for this space today: "Ring the bells that ring, forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." As we near the holiday season, a time that might yield great joy for you or great sorrow for you, or both, it's essential that we allow ourselves the space, the grace, and the permission to shine a light on our grief. Allow yourself to mourn, allow yourself to lean on your community, and make sure you also allow yourself to let the light in, wherever it finds you. We are in this together. Thank you all.”
Love & Loss
remembering our people
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” Maya Angelou
“I have learned now that while those who speak about one’s miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more.” C.S. Lewis
“Grief is like the ocean; It comes in waves; ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.” Vicki Harrison “Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, spiritual and physical necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.” Earl Grollman
“Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help you create the fact.”
William James
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