MISSION statement
To empower, educate, and support widows in living with their grief rather than in grief through the formation of a sisterhood.
We support one another to model courage while recognizing and meeting our unique and basic needs.
We strive to give stability and consistency to a widow's constant adjustment.
GOOD GRIEF IS A PLACE WHERE...
- We realize we are not alone in the way we are grieving
- We are brought back to life
- We can share feelings, tears, laughter, memories, and even photos
- We find peace of mind, and knowledge that what is going on in our minds is normal
- We help each other through with the hope of finding joyful moments yet to come
- A place to express our frustrations, anger, and fear of being widows
- People understand and not pacify
- We are brought back from the dark thoughts and sadness that has overtaken us since our husbands passed
Message from the founder
The Good Grief Foundation was born from a deeply personal journey of grief, one that I had never anticipated. The moment my husband became a hospice patient, I was overcome with fear, not just for his impending loss, but for my future without him. Little did I know, I was already in the throes of anticipatory grief.
In those early days of widowhood, frightened and feeling utterly lost, I turned to the internet in search of guidance. I remember typing into the search bar, "how to be a widow." The results presented me with an overwhelming array of books, and I ordered three of them. While the first two were interesting, it was the third book that truly spoke to the depths of my grieving heart and head. It wasn't just a book; it was a lifeline that inspired me to take action.
With newfound inspiration, I decided to reach out to a few fellow widows, inviting them to read the book and embark on this journey of grief together. It was in that moment that Good Grief was conceived, born out of a genuine desire to connect with and support other widows who were navigating the same treacherous path of loss.
Since 2016 our Good Grief Support Group has been meeting consistently, providing a safe space for both recent and not-so-recent widows to share their stories, their pain, and their hope. Attendance may change, but our commitment to each other remains unwavering. I am deeply grateful for this ministry, and for the healing it has brought not only to me but to countless others who have found solace and strength in our shared journey.
Good Grief is all about sharing and caring, and together, we move forward with courage, resilience, and the knowledge that we are not alone in our grief.
- Suzy