By Susan Drevitch Kelly
Life Transition Coach
Are you trying to navigate your way through a profound loss in your life? This is, no doubt, one of the most complex, challenging and difficult journeys you will ever face. Grief is complex. It is not a linear process. It has no specific timeline. Life is messy, and so is the grieving process.
How your grief impacts you physiologically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually will be unique to only you. No one, not even siblings, children, relatives or longtime friends of your loved one, will experience the loss as you will.
Your grief is unique only to you because your relationship with your loved one was unique to that person. So, it only makes sense that how you heal, what helps you with your recovery, will be a different journey than for others around you.
C. S. Lewis, in his book “A Grief Observed,” is described as “a man emotionally naked in his own Gethsemane,” dealing with the agony and emptiness of his grief when he lost his wife, the love of his life. Recovering and healing from your loss will, no doubt, be painful and arduous. It will take time and patience with yourself and those around you. Unfortunately, there is not a book or “how-to” manual that you can read that will provide you will all the answers or the “formula” for recovery.
One thing is for certain, this is a journey you do not need to travel alone.
There is great healing power in the dynamics of a grief support group. All of the members of the group “magically” coalesce and create a unique collective compassion to help each other on the path to healing and recovery.
Although each member is traversing their own journey, so many of the feelings and fears, twists and turns, and ups and downs of the grief experience are universal, and there is great comfort and support in knowing that you are not the only one; you are not alone.
If you are feeling lost, alone, or stuck in your healing process, consider joining one of two grief support groups hosted by the Scituate Senior Center.
Grieve Not Alone is designed for recent grievers (two years or fewer since your loss). This 16-session program, in its fifth year, will launch on Thursday, September 19, and will continue to meet every first and third Thursday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The availability to attend all of the sessions will be most beneficial to those attending.
Riding the Wave, in its second year, is designed for individuals experiencing continuing grief after two or more years have passed since their loss. This group will meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., beginning on Tuesday, September 17.
The goal of both of these programs is to offer a safe, confidential, and welcoming healing forum for grievers who are trying to recover from their loss and in need of support in the process.
We will share ideas, challenges, inspiration and hope. We will explore strategies and solutions to help you in your healing process. We will learn how to develop new resilience and resolve to rebuild and find new meaning and purpose in life.
Both programs are open to any resident on the South Shore and facilitated by the author, Susan Drevitch Kelly, a well-recognized life transition and grief support coach. Registration is required for both groups. There are a limited number of seats for each group, and no walk-ins will be accepted.
For additional information and registration, please contact Jessica Souke, programs coordinator, Scituate Senior Center, 781-545-8875 x4.
About the Author: Susan Drevitch Kelly has dual BS degrees in Biology and Chemistry, Summa cum Laude, Suffolk University; MA degree and Post-graduate studies in Psychobiology, Harvard University; and over 40 years of experience guiding private clients and workshop groups through major life transitions caused by change and loss. She is passionate about helping people redefine themselves and discover new meaning and purpose in their lives. Susan facilitates two grief support groups at the Scituate Senior Center: Grieve Not alone for recent loss and Riding the Wave for continuing grief. She is also available for private grief counseling sessions. She can be reached at sdkellya@gmail.com.
