AUBURN - Coping with the loss of a loved one is never easy. It is a deep and far reaching pain, one that is all too often amplified during the holiday season - a time when those missing are often thought of and recalled the most.
Founded in 1989 by Chris Lloyd, licensed clinical social worker and thanatologist (the study of death, dying, mourning and bereavement) and Jeanette Berretta, a registered nurse and thanatologist, the Wounded Healers Bereavement Support Group strives to assist those facing that pain with support group meetings every month.
“In our monthly meetings we try to have speakers or a workshop or something educational for people,” Lloyd said. “Then we break into smaller groups to discuss specific topics, the loss of a spouse or a child or a general loss. It is an open meeting and we never know who may come through the door and what they may need, but we try to offer something for everyone coping with loss.”
Since the group's inception 18 years ago, the first Tuesday after New Year's has always been a time to gather for a memorial service, to stop and reflect on those that have passed and to help those that are still here through those emotions during this difficult time.
“We've found that for many people it is very helpful,” Lloyd said. “For many people it is hard to move forward into a new year. Those that are newly bereaved and have just lost a loved one, those that have lost a loved one years ago, this is always a difficult time and this is a way to help them work through this time of year.”
To publicly share these kinds feelings isn't easy.
“It takes much courage,” Berretta said. “We want everyone here to know that this is sacred ground and what happens here is confidential and that it does take a lot of courage to come to something like this.”
Lloyd prepared a program entitled “The Sea Calls Us to Remember,” that encompassed readings from various writers and scripture passages as well as music, all geared towards the common theme of how to remember loved ones that have passed and find comfort in their memories while dealing with that pain.
Lloyd and Berretta also had several small candles lit, with a small fountain and a collection of seashells, helping set an atmosphere that would be reflective of the often calming nature of the ocean.
“We try to do something different every year,” Lloyd said. “It is non-denominational, so we have a lot of different readings and speakers that will talk about different aspects of dealing with death from different perspectives and try to help people that come here to find ways to find something that works for them in their bereavement process.”
Some in attendance, like Sharon Penafeather, have been with the group for 18 years.
Penafeather, who also works with the group as secretary, first joined when her son passed away when he was 18.
Through these past 18 years, Penafeather said she has found a comfort in being with this group every month and helping others to find it.
“It has really helped me along the way,” Penafeather said. “Talking to other people has been a big part of my healing process and that is the great thing about being here, you can talk to other people that are going through similar situations. It is especially important that they have something like this at this time of year when it is especially difficult. It helps to remind us that there is still life and that we have to keep on living.”
It is this kind of strength that Lloyd and Berretta hope that anyone who attends the group's meetings walks away with.
“We hope people know they have a place to come and talk about their grief,” Lloyd said. “We want people to know that there is a place to come and other people who appreciate what they are going through and that they can walk away with a sense of that and know that there are other people here to support them and what they are going through as much as they need it.”
For more information
Visit www.woundedhealers.com
“In our monthly meetings we try to have speakers or a workshop or something educational for people,” Lloyd said. “Then we break into smaller groups to discuss specific topics, the loss of a spouse or a child or a general loss. It is an open meeting and we never know who may come through the door and what they may need, but we try to offer something for everyone coping with loss.”
Since the group's inception 18 years ago, the first Tuesday after New Year's has always been a time to gather for a memorial service, to stop and reflect on those that have passed and to help those that are still here through those emotions during this difficult time.
“We've found that for many people it is very helpful,” Lloyd said. “For many people it is hard to move forward into a new year. Those that are newly bereaved and have just lost a loved one, those that have lost a loved one years ago, this is always a difficult time and this is a way to help them work through this time of year.”
To publicly share these kinds feelings isn't easy.
“It takes much courage,” Berretta said. “We want everyone here to know that this is sacred ground and what happens here is confidential and that it does take a lot of courage to come to something like this.”
Lloyd prepared a program entitled “The Sea Calls Us to Remember,” that encompassed readings from various writers and scripture passages as well as music, all geared towards the common theme of how to remember loved ones that have passed and find comfort in their memories while dealing with that pain.
Lloyd and Berretta also had several small candles lit, with a small fountain and a collection of seashells, helping set an atmosphere that would be reflective of the often calming nature of the ocean.
“We try to do something different every year,” Lloyd said. “It is non-denominational, so we have a lot of different readings and speakers that will talk about different aspects of dealing with death from different perspectives and try to help people that come here to find ways to find something that works for them in their bereavement process.”
Some in attendance, like Sharon Penafeather, have been with the group for 18 years.
Penafeather, who also works with the group as secretary, first joined when her son passed away when he was 18.
Through these past 18 years, Penafeather said she has found a comfort in being with this group every month and helping others to find it.
“It has really helped me along the way,” Penafeather said. “Talking to other people has been a big part of my healing process and that is the great thing about being here, you can talk to other people that are going through similar situations. It is especially important that they have something like this at this time of year when it is especially difficult. It helps to remind us that there is still life and that we have to keep on living.”
It is this kind of strength that Lloyd and Berretta hope that anyone who attends the group's meetings walks away with.
“We hope people know they have a place to come and talk about their grief,” Lloyd said. “We want people to know that there is a place to come and other people who appreciate what they are going through and that they can walk away with a sense of that and know that there are other people here to support them and what they are going through as much as they need it.”
For more information
Visit www.woundedhealers.com
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