Dear Editor,
Too often feelings of grief and loss go unexpressed, and the results are similar to shaking a soda bottle. All the pressure and energy build up and eventually the bottle explodes.
We must give ourselves permission to express our feelings, and we must provide a safe space for our children to do so as well. Often our children learn by seeing our behavior, so let’s set a good example of how to deal with grief and loss in a healthy way.
If your child has recently lost a family member or friend in the past two years, please consider registering them for Camp BraveHearts, a free three-day grief camp for children ages six to 16 and their parents or caregivers.
Offered through Methodist Hospice July 18-20 at For The Kingdom, 4100 Raleigh-Millington Road, the camp can help children, parents, grandparents and caregivers begin to express grief in a positive way through special sessions led by trained professionals and volunteers. These meaningful activities will explore issues related to grief and prepare the participants with age-appropriate tools to continue the healing process after their time at the camp has ended. By sharing their grief with others, children and adults can begin to let go.
Grief has no timeline, and loss is not something you can just get over. But you can get through it and you can find healing, strength and peace if you are willing to talk about it and share your story with others.
Camp BraveHearts is hosted by Methodist Hospice and funded by generous community donations.
For information and to register for Camp BraveHearts, please contact Lettie Blundon at leticia.blundon@mlh.org or call (901) 818-2105.
Sincerely,
Rev. Mark A. Smith, M.Div, BCC
Manager for Clinical Support Services
Methodist Alliance Hospice
6400 Shelby View Drive, Suite 101
Memphis, TN 38134
