Tag Archives: Grief

Handling the Holidays after Losing a Child

November 30, 2012

The St. Joseph-Breese Share group will continue the discussion on how to get through the holidays after the loss of a child when they next meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, in the hospital Board Room.

“Christmas can be a challenge for anyone who is grieving but for those who have lost a child, this season, with so much emphasis on children, can be especially difficult,” said Karen Gebke, host of the group with husband Scott.

“In particular, if parents have other children, there is pressure to make Christmas as normal as possible when you may wish you could just skip the entire month and wake up on Jan. 2,” she said.

“Getting through the holidays is a matter of doing what’s right for you and your family,” she said.

“What I do may not be right for you and it may not be right for me a year from now,” she said. “You have to learn what works and realize that your choices will probably change.”

Pressures and expectations from others may also be overwhelming to someone who is facing his or her first holiday season since the loss, she said.

“Many people expect you to ‘be over it’ and enjoy the holidays like before,” she said. “I believe it is possible to enjoy the holidays but with the realization that it will be different.”

Also part of the discussion will be how to—or if you should—remember your child at this season.

“For some parents, remembering their baby or child at the holidays, possibly by lighting a candle, hanging a special ornament or wearing a special piece of jewelry, is helpful but there are no right or wrong answers,” Karen Gebke said. “With a little consideration, you can determine what works for you and your family.”

Share, which generally meets the second Tuesday of each month, is for parents and family who have lost a child and is sponsored by the hospital’s Women and Infants Center.

Everyone is welcome—not just parents who delivered at St. Joseph’s in Breese—and there are no restrictions on how long ago the loss occurred or how long someone can attend. There is no charge.

For more information, contact Karen Gebke at 228-7665, 709-2878 or sharestjosephs@yahoo.com. For information on the Women and Infants Center, contact 526-5464 or helen.essenpreis@hshs.org.

 

Grief Support Group Intermission

November 29, 2012

The St. Joseph-Breese Grief Support Group will take a brief hiatus through the Christmas holidays and winter season but individual support—by appointment, in person or by telephone—and resource material at no charge will continue to be available through the hospital’s Pastoral Care Department.

Among the resource material is information on holiday grief which was discussed at the November session. Handouts distributed at that time are still available by contacting the department.

“We are available to support you along the way,” said Sister Dorothy Niemann of Pastoral Care who serves as group coordinator. “Often that first step—that of giving yourself and others permission to talk about a loved one and the loss—is the hardest but it’s important that you make the attempt.”

Grief support may bring comfort and understanding to those who have suffered a loss.

For individual grief counseling, resource material or more information, contact 526-5327 or sisterdorothy.niemann@hshs.org

Grief Support Group

November 9, 2012

Going through the holidays after the loss of a loved one will be the focus of the Tuesday, Nov. 20, meeting of the St. Joseph-Breese Grief Support Group set for 7 p.m. in the hospital Managers Conference Room. Registration is requested by 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, to ensure sufficient materials and seating.

“With the emphasis on family and tradition, the holidays can be difficult for anyone who is grieving,” said Sister Dorothy Niemann, of the hospital’s Pastoral Care staff who serves as group coordinator.

“After a loved one dies, the family is forever changed,” Sister said. “What were once enjoyable traditions may now be empty and sad.”

Hand-outs will be available and time for questions and discussion is planned.

The November meeting will be the last for 2012 as the group generally does not meet in December.

For those needing assistance with grieving, Pastoral Care also offers individual support—by appointment, in person or by telephone—and resource material at no charge.

“We are available to support you along the way,” Sister Dorothy said. “Often the first step—that of giving yourself and others permission to talk about a loved one and the loss—is the hardest but it’s important that you make the attempt.”

Those attending are not required to participate in the discussion and all sessions are confidential and open to anyone seeking help. Support is for anyone, no matter how recent or long ago the loss.

For individual grief counseling, to register for the group or more information, contact 526-5327 or sniemann@sjb.hshs.org.

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