Finding strength and community in the shared struggle of grief

Grief can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming. Sometimes it’s hard to even show up. We see it often at Billy’s Place. Yet, we also see the strength that comes from finding support in a community – from people who get it.

Some people struggle to attend support groups because of their grief. It can be hard to leave the house and face others. However, families often tell us that they’re glad they came, even if they didn’t want to at first.

At a recent adult group, Colleen shared that she initially didn’t want to come that night. She was feeling angry, and she resents the anger. She said she’d rather feel sad because at least that helps her heal.

But, Colleen came anyway. And her candid admission that showing up that night was a struggle helped others in the group open up that they sometimes feel the same way. The group discussed how they always feel better on their way home than they did coming in, saying sharing a space with others who understand, where they don’t feel judged, is where they can feel totally safe being themselves.

Colleen even shared that she thinks of her fellow group members often in-between meetings – finding comfort in the fact that there are people who understand what she’s going through.