Pastor Jean Newell

Silently, tears streamed down her face. “I miss him so much,” she said softly. “I don’t know what to do with myself these days.”

Sometimes the death of a loved one comes after an extended illness; sometimes death comes suddenly and unexpectedly. Either way, for those who grieve a loved one’s passing, grief becomes a journey, a journey for which one cannot really prepare or understand until one is in the midst of it. Some days, the pain of loss can be overwhelming; while at other times, one is simply numb to what life brings. Some days, grief can cause a normally organized person to feel confused and at a loss as to what to do. Simple, everyday tasks become stark reminders of the loved one that is gone, and the pain seems unbearable.

If you have lost a loved one recently or years ago and you are struggling to cope with the pain of grief that is affecting what seems to be all of life, consider attending GriefShare, an 11-week class that meets Wednesday afternoons beginning May 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church. GriefShare features nationally-recognized experts on grief recovery topics. The initial session begins with a video about the issue “Is this normal?” followed by other sessions on “Challenges of Grief,” “Guilt and Anger,” “Stuck in Grief” and “Why?” Each lesson of this non-denominational seminar and support group is self-contained, so if you are not able to attend every class, you are welcome to come as often as you can.

The class registration fee of $15 covers the cost of the workbook/study guide. Register online at www.sunlakesumc.org or at the church office. For more information, call 480-895-8766.