Thanks to Abby Wuellner of KY3 and the brave children and parents at Lost & Found for a wonderful story on our annual Christmas activity in which the children make angel ornaments in memory of their deceased loved one. The children hang their angel ornaments on our tree, and we have a candle lighting ceremony to honor their grief, courage, and love. It is a very meaningful activity for the holiday season.
Double click on the title of this story to link to the video that aired on television.
29 December 2009
07 December 2009
Tips for Helping the Bereaved cope with the Holidays.
Getting Past Christmas
1. Buy a Christmas candle and light it each day through December.
One mother remembered, "Every time that candle was lit, the whole house seemed warmer. It was my daily, silent reminder of him and it made me feel so much better!"
2. Plan your shopping ahead of time or try creative alternatives.
Try shopping earlier before all the merry shoppers are out.
Maybe instead of shopping give your beloved your loved ones treasured possesions. Enclose a card to tell why that gift was chosen for them.
Maybe just write a check, they don't get returned!
3. Enlisth the help of others in wrapping your gifts.
Friends are only too happy to help. If you don't have wrapping paper use the comic strips and attach a bow.
4. Consider changing your traditional family Christmas note.
Often just putting our thougths on papaer takes more energy than you have. Other family memebersmight add their thougths this year. You may feel good getting to talk about your family tragedy. Feel freeto include a picture of your loved one and copy of the obituary. I did this, secretly hoping people would respon by returning mail and comment on Greg's picture.
5. Give yourself permission to change family traditions.
Talk over the changes with family. Change the day, the host. This may provide less painful memories. Change the food. Maybe go out to dinner and let someone else be your chef this year.
6. Try a new idea when you areready to hang up Christmas stockings.
You want to hang them all up but feel a little strange about it. Tell your family tat through December they each will have anote card and can use ti wrtie a note to the person who is gone. These could be a few phrases or a whole paragraph, relating something funny that has happened , some accomplishment or how much that person is missed. Put each note in the stocking, deciding to either read these cards together on a special evening or just letting familytake them out to read whenever they wish. The bestplan is to make this a new family tradition by keeping the cards in the stocking from year to year...it becomes a mini-family diary!
7. Determine to do one special thing for someone else in December.
Decide who it will be, put the name on the calendar so you won't forget. Visit someone lonely. Maybe you could make or buy cookies to give away. The season is a little easier when our eyes are focused, even fora brief time, on someone else.
8. Contribute to your favorite charity in your loved one's name.
Take time to jot down a note explaining who your loved one is.
One widow came up with a fantastic ide that combines the best of these plans. She went out and bought and entire outfit that would have fit her husband. Then she went home and baked his favorite cookies and put them in a small package, around which she packed the entire outfit. Wrapping it up, she left a note on it ather local homeless mission which said, Please give to a man size 33.
9. Pamper yourself this month.
Determine to buy yourself a present. Stay in your budget.
10. Plan on taking time to cry.
It is normal to cry during the hlidays. So many sights, places, aromas and sounds are instant memory -grabbers. Because it isnt healthy to hold back emotions, schedule teartimes intor your day. Pick a certaing lenght of time to cry, ten minutes, mabye or even an hour, whatever makes you comfortable. Play some old Christmas music that easily starts those tears. set aside a clock or kitchen timer for your predetermined minutes and then cry your heart out. You'll find it's easier to face whatever lese iscoming up in December when you've had your daily time for tears.
Holiday depression is common vern when you aren't grieving. we hope these tips are helpful during this sometimes overwhelming Christmas season.
Merry Christmas from Lost and Found
Tipsby Carlene Vester Eneroth
Copyright Centering Corporation
1. Buy a Christmas candle and light it each day through December.
One mother remembered, "Every time that candle was lit, the whole house seemed warmer. It was my daily, silent reminder of him and it made me feel so much better!"
2. Plan your shopping ahead of time or try creative alternatives.
Try shopping earlier before all the merry shoppers are out.
Maybe instead of shopping give your beloved your loved ones treasured possesions. Enclose a card to tell why that gift was chosen for them.
Maybe just write a check, they don't get returned!
3. Enlisth the help of others in wrapping your gifts.
Friends are only too happy to help. If you don't have wrapping paper use the comic strips and attach a bow.
4. Consider changing your traditional family Christmas note.
Often just putting our thougths on papaer takes more energy than you have. Other family memebersmight add their thougths this year. You may feel good getting to talk about your family tragedy. Feel freeto include a picture of your loved one and copy of the obituary. I did this, secretly hoping people would respon by returning mail and comment on Greg's picture.
5. Give yourself permission to change family traditions.
Talk over the changes with family. Change the day, the host. This may provide less painful memories. Change the food. Maybe go out to dinner and let someone else be your chef this year.
6. Try a new idea when you areready to hang up Christmas stockings.
You want to hang them all up but feel a little strange about it. Tell your family tat through December they each will have anote card and can use ti wrtie a note to the person who is gone. These could be a few phrases or a whole paragraph, relating something funny that has happened , some accomplishment or how much that person is missed. Put each note in the stocking, deciding to either read these cards together on a special evening or just letting familytake them out to read whenever they wish. The bestplan is to make this a new family tradition by keeping the cards in the stocking from year to year...it becomes a mini-family diary!
7. Determine to do one special thing for someone else in December.
Decide who it will be, put the name on the calendar so you won't forget. Visit someone lonely. Maybe you could make or buy cookies to give away. The season is a little easier when our eyes are focused, even fora brief time, on someone else.
8. Contribute to your favorite charity in your loved one's name.
Take time to jot down a note explaining who your loved one is.
One widow came up with a fantastic ide that combines the best of these plans. She went out and bought and entire outfit that would have fit her husband. Then she went home and baked his favorite cookies and put them in a small package, around which she packed the entire outfit. Wrapping it up, she left a note on it ather local homeless mission which said, Please give to a man size 33.
9. Pamper yourself this month.
Determine to buy yourself a present. Stay in your budget.
10. Plan on taking time to cry.
It is normal to cry during the hlidays. So many sights, places, aromas and sounds are instant memory -grabbers. Because it isnt healthy to hold back emotions, schedule teartimes intor your day. Pick a certaing lenght of time to cry, ten minutes, mabye or even an hour, whatever makes you comfortable. Play some old Christmas music that easily starts those tears. set aside a clock or kitchen timer for your predetermined minutes and then cry your heart out. You'll find it's easier to face whatever lese iscoming up in December when you've had your daily time for tears.
Holiday depression is common vern when you aren't grieving. we hope these tips are helpful during this sometimes overwhelming Christmas season.
Merry Christmas from Lost and Found
Tipsby Carlene Vester Eneroth
Copyright Centering Corporation
21 August 2009
Lost & Found Photo Exhibit
An exciting photo exhibit featuring families who receive grief support at Lost & Found, a non-profit grief center in Springfield, MO will touch your heart and help you understand the complexity of grief. These amazing photos, taken by Randy Bacon, are on display at Randy's studios on the corner of Main & College in downtown Springfield, MO. For a preview, click on the the link above.
26 July 2009
Annual Family Picnic
The annual picnic July 23, 2009, was an evening of great food and fun. Families who participate in support groups at Lost & Found gathered with volunteers to enjoy an evening of relaxation and food. Board members Shawn Askinosie, John Gentry, Greg Huntsman, and Richard Walters grilled more than 100 hamburgers and brats.
Children enjoyed bounce houses donated by Amberg Entertainment and the Jones Family Y, as well as games directed by Y staff. The evening concluded with a balloon release in memory of loved ones.
Thanks to Springfield Grocers, Lost & Found Advisory Council members, and the ladies from Asbury United Methodist Church for donating food and drink. Thanks to our faithful volunteers for setting up, serving, and cleaning up.
A special thanks to Vivian who organized and coordinated the entire event!!
Children enjoyed bounce houses donated by Amberg Entertainment and the Jones Family Y, as well as games directed by Y staff. The evening concluded with a balloon release in memory of loved ones.
Thanks to Springfield Grocers, Lost & Found Advisory Council members, and the ladies from Asbury United Methodist Church for donating food and drink. Thanks to our faithful volunteers for setting up, serving, and cleaning up.
A special thanks to Vivian who organized and coordinated the entire event!!
17 July 2009
Lost & Found 2009 Charity Golf Tournament
Lost & Found's annual charity Golf Tournament was June 26 at Hickory Hills Country Club. Golfers were treated to a wonderful day of great food, drinks, golf, and fun in a 4-person scramble. After a day in the sun & heat on the course, golfers were treated to Duds 'n Suds on the terrace at Hickory, where wards were given for winners in each flight.
Thanks to presenting sponsor Joe Manzardo, Springfield Striping & Sealing, Ozarks Coca-Cola for providing drink products at various holes, and to all hole and team sponsors. We appreciate your support that helps us provide free grief support services to children.
Sign up now for the 2010 tournament. Contact Holly McGee at 417-865-9998.
Thanks to presenting sponsor Joe Manzardo, Springfield Striping & Sealing, Ozarks Coca-Cola for providing drink products at various holes, and to all hole and team sponsors. We appreciate your support that helps us provide free grief support services to children.
Sign up now for the 2010 tournament. Contact Holly McGee at 417-865-9998.
12 May 2009
The Randy Bacon Project
Recognized photographer, Randy Bacon, will unveil the Lost & Found Photo Exhibit during the August 7, 2009 FIRST FRIDAY Art Walk at his studio (Randy Bacon Photography Studio & Gallery, in the Monarch Art Factory) located at 600 W. College Street in Springfield, MO. Over 40 families receiving grief support services from Lost & Found participated in a photo exhibit to share their stories on the journey of grief. The Lost & Found support groups met in the Randy Bacon Studio for a two-week period sharing their experiences as a part of a community of grieving families and received encouragement from one another during this process.
Group activities centered on sharing pictures, mementos and memories of the deceased. Each family took part in a professional photo session with some families including pictures or special mementos of their loved one. The photo exhibition will share the stories from each family. Their personal stories and photos reflect upon their emotional struggles, steps towards healing, and embracing a new life that will be forever changed.
A special reception will be held for the participating families to honor their strength and resilience in their journey to find hope through their grief with each family receiving a framed portrait from their photo session. The reception will take place at the Randy Bacon Photography Studio & Gallery on Thursday, August 6, 2009, the evening before the unveiling of the exhibit to the community. The guests will include the participating families, photo exhibit donors and sponsors, Lost & Found volunteers and Board of Directors along with community supporters of Lost & Found.
19 March 2009
New Adult Groups at Lost & Found
Lost & Found has added two new adult groups that continue to grow and allow us to provide grief support to a broader age range.
Young Adult Group -- Ages 18- to thirty something
This group is for young adults grieving the death of a family member. It meets the 2nd & 4th Wed. of each month in the evening. For more information, see previous posts on this blog. Also, check out the blog for that group by clicking HERE
Older Adult Group
This group is for adults grieving the death of a spouse of many years or an adult child. It meets the 1st & 3rd Wed. of each month at 1:00
If you are interested in joining us for any of our support groups, just call
417-865-9998
Young Adult Group -- Ages 18- to thirty something
This group is for young adults grieving the death of a family member. It meets the 2nd & 4th Wed. of each month in the evening. For more information, see previous posts on this blog. Also, check out the blog for that group by clicking HERE
Older Adult Group
This group is for adults grieving the death of a spouse of many years or an adult child. It meets the 1st & 3rd Wed. of each month at 1:00
If you are interested in joining us for any of our support groups, just call
417-865-9998
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
