National Grief Awareness Day

Everyone faces grief. Everyone grieves differently. Grief often begins before death occurs.

THANK YOU.

First, i want to extend gratitude to all of those in health and death care professions who support families through losing a loved one. Nurses & doctors, home health care, hospice care, nursing home staff, family and friend caregivers, funeral directors, and so many more. Every day i see people whose lives you have touched with your compassion; thank you for the difference you make in the world. It matters.

A reminder for us all: random acts of compassion are urgently needed

National tragedy – Covid, natural disasters, terror attacks – and personal tragedies are weighing on the people around us every day.

On National Grief Awareness Day, let’s all be intentional about kindness: Let’s flood the lives of those around us today with random acts of compassion.

Today let’s increase our awareness of grief. When we encounter a rude driver, customer, or colleague, we’ll remember they may be overwhelmed with burdens we know nothing about. And we’ll respond with kindness; as Dr. Martin Luther King said: darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that.

And YOU… Are you grieving today?

My condolences for what you’re going through. We’re connected by grief as a human experience, but i can’t know your personal journey or how your loss impacts, and changes, your life.

All i can offer are a couple of resources that might help you or someone you care about.

The Dignity Memorial Grief Library is available to you.

If you’re in crisis or don’t know where to turn for support and assistance, United Way 2-1-1 is a wonderful community resource. You can access them by phone (dial 2-1-1 just like 9-1-1) or by text (text your zip code to 898-211). A specialist will be able to connect you with local organizations providing critical services that can help you. Learn more at https://www.hfuw.org/gethelp/