At a recent bereavement meeting, a guest speaker asked us to
answer questions about where we are in our grief journey. I found everyone very
receptive and giving excellent answers to what could be difficult for some.
After the person who got the question was done, anyone in the group could voice
their opinion on the question or ask questions of the one who had. The speaker
then told stories related to these questions and embellished on possible
answers not thought of.
In the end, everyone seemed to appreciate the thoughtful
questions and some of us old-timers could definitely see how others had moved
on with their lives when they originally thought all was lost and they could
never be happy again.
I wondered whether this would be a good exercise for all bereavement
groups that met on a regular basis. Below are the questions asked of the eight
members in attendance, one question per person. How would you personally answer
them? You might want to try this with another friend who has lost a child, if
you are not in a bereavement group.
- What have you learned about yourself?
- What advice would you offer the newly bereaved parent?
- How are you different from before your child died?
- What has helped the most in your own healing?
- How have your relationships or friendships been affected?
- What is it now time for you to do in your life?
- What have you been considering doing and taking action on? What is waiting in the wings for you.
- Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently in the grief process?
