Kara

12/18/2024

Remember to take time for yourself too!

12/16/2024

“You can not die of grief, though it feels as if you can. A heart does not actually break, though sometimes your chest aches as if it is breaking. Grief dims with time. It is the way of things. There comes a day when you smile again, and you feel like a traitor. How dare I feel happy. How dare I be glad in a world where my father is no more. And then you cry fresh tears, because you do not miss him as much as you once did, and giving up your grief is another kind of death.”

― Laurell K. Hamilton

12/13/2024

It is a completely normal reaction to yearn for some form of connection to your person after they have died. Upholding past rituals you had with them can be a good way to do this. Whether it be something inside your home such as displaying their photo or lighting a candle for them, it can also be things you do on the go. Visiting places that your person loved to go to, or even just writing to them in the form of letters or texts can help you feel some connection to your person, which may bring you some comfort as you grieve.

12/11/2024

Join Us for Kara's Candlelight Service of Remembrance on Thursday Evening, and Offer Your Generous Gift in Kara's 2024 Appeal for HOPE! - https://mailchi.mp/kara-grief.org/exceed2eya

12/09/2024

The next principle the Dougy Center brings up of being grief-informed is that grief is dynamic. The dynamic nature of grief cannot be captured by stage, phase, or other prescriptive models. There are no universally acceptable or “correct” ways to grieve.

If there is only one thing you take away from these various principles of being grief-informed, let it be that there is no set framework that makes grief “correct” or “incorrect”. Your grief is your own, and only you get to decide what is and is not acceptable for you.

It is a common misconception that grief has neat stages that follow one another until you return to feeling a sense of normalcy. This can at least partially be attributed to the Elizabeth Kubler Ross model, which is quite known through mainstream media. What is less known is that the model is actually focused on the stages of grief of learning about your own death (through something like terminal illness), rather than that of the death of someone else.

Even with that framework in mind, expecting every single person to follow the exact same process doesn’t make sense, as every iteration of grief is truly unique to the individual. Every person has their own beliefs, assumptions, and experiences, all of which impact the way we grieve. This is also why it may not be helpful to try to give advice on what people should and should not be doing when they are grieving, even if it is coming from a place of concern and care. Try asking a person if they want advice or not before offering it!

12/06/2024

“Whoever said that loss gets easier with time was a liar. Here's what really happens: The spaces between the times you miss them grow longer. Then, when you do remember to miss them again, it's still with a stabbing pain to the heart. And you have guilt. Guilt because it's been too long since you missed them last.”

― Kristin O'Donnell Tubb

12/04/2024

Grief and mourning are often used interchangeably when we talk about death, but did you know that they actually refer to two distinct things? An easy way to thing about it is that mourning refers to the outward response reactions to grief, while grief is the comprehensive process of adapting to change involving loss.

While Kara specializes in grief having to do with death of person losses, it is also important to note that grief does not only refer to death. Deaths of pets, divorces or breakups, moving, or any other feeling of loss that might come up from a major loss event are all also valid forms of grief!

12/04/2024

December eNews and 2024 Appeal for HOPE -- Double your impact! Every dollar you donate during our 2024 Appeal for Hope, up to a total of $20,000, will be matched dollar for dollar by the generosity of the Beth Longwell Foundation. - https://mailchi.mp/kara-grief.org/dec24

12/02/2024

kara-grief.org/donate

For over 47 years, Kara has been a compassionate friend that offers hope to the bereaved.

Your donation today provides healing and hope for individuals of all ages who have experienced profound loss, and builds a more grief-informed community.

Thank you so much for your support!

11/29/2024

Join us in a meaningful evening featuring live music and a candle lighting ceremony honoring loved ones!

The service is non-denominational, and offered both in-person and on Zoom. For more info or to register, use this link:

kara-grief.org/candlelight2024

We truly hope to see you there!

[…]

11/28/2024

This Thanksgiving we would like to offer our gratitude to the Kara community. We are truly grateful for each and every one of you, and we hope that you also are able to find things to be grateful for today.

As the holidays arrive and continue through this season, please remember to take care of yourself. Do not be afraid to ask your support network for help, and remember to give yourself some grace during this time of year, which can often be particularly difficult.

11/26/2024

💞 2024 Fund Appeal - Your gift today provides hope to bereaved youth and adults, so no one has to grieve alone - https://mailchi.mp/074fd22a0386/exceed24eya1

11/25/2024

Flip the Script for Children's Grief Awareness Month

Empower Their Voices

This Children's Grief Awareness Month, "Flip the Script" by championing the voices of young people who are grieving.

Give them the mic:
• Allow them to articulate their grief and share their personal experiences.
• Validate their feelings, experiences, and stories by providing a supportive listening
environment.

By empowering young people’s voices, we affirm their value and support them in their unique grief experience. Let’s ensure every child feels heard and
supported.

11/22/2024

Flip the Script for Children's Grief Awareness Month

Recognize the Uniqueness of each Person’s Grief.

Join us in "Flipping the Script" this Children's Grief Awareness Month by acknowledging the individuality of each young person who is grieving.

Embrace Individual Needs:
• Understand that each young person who is grieving has a unique relationship with the person who died.

• Avoid one-size-fits-all responses and offer support that aligns with their specific context, relationship, and personality.

Meaningful support begins with recognizing each young person's uniqueness and listening to their cues about how they would like to be supported.

11/21/2024

Children's Grief Awareness Day is designed to help us all become more aware of the needs of grieving children — and of the benefits they obtain through the support of others. Children's Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity to make sure that grieving children receive the support they need.

Before they graduate from high school, one child out of every 20 children will have a parent die—and that number doesn't include those who experience the death of a brother or sister, a close grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or friend.

Please join us in helping raise awareness!

11/20/2024

Another principle of being grief-informed from the Dougy Center is that grief is person-centered. The duration, intensity, and experience of grief are unique for every individual.

Similar to how people are unique, their grief also has unique characteristics. No relationship between two people is exactly the same as another. This is why there would not be a universal reaction to someone dying, we all come from different perspectives and connections to the person. So to say someone may experience grief similarly to you is entirely possible, but it would not be exactly the same.

Additionally, grief is a condition a person has. It certainly can change our identities, but it is only one aspect of a person.

11/18/2024

Flip the Script for Children's Grief Awareness Month

Cultivate a Supportive Environment for Sharing

Join us in "Flipping the Script" by creating supportive environments this Children's Grief Awareness Month.

What Makes a Brave Space:
• Create environments where young people who are grieving feel safe to express their feelings without judgment.
• Ensure that both your words and actions communicate understanding and
compassion. Let's be the supportive presence that every child deserves.

11/15/2024

Flip the Script for Children's Grief Awareness Month

Get Moving: Grief is Physical, not just Emotional

This Children's Grief Awareness Month, "Flip the Script" by recognizing the physical expressions of grief.

Encourage Movement:

• Physical activities like walking or playing can be vital for young people to express and manage their grief.

• Physical engagement helps them not only to cope but also to connect with their feelings in a healthy way.

Let's move together in support of youth who are grieving.