Debs Johnson 🐝

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Good morning, It is less than 2 months until National Grief Awareness Week 2025! A time to come together and support all those affected by grief and ross the UK. This year’s theme is ‘Growing with Grief’. Losing a loved one feels like an ending in so many ways, but in time it can also become the ground from which something new begins. After loss we can’t go back to who we were but instead we can grow into someone new, shaped by love, memories and resilience. This growth doesn’t erase the pain but it allows HOPE to return. We would love you all to get involved in the campaign this December and here are a few ways to join us; NGAW25 Campaign Packs include; Seed Packs/Year Planner •Plant seeds - in memory of someone special •Enter our Flower Photography Competition •Year Planner - keep anniversary dates, track emotions, and include self care. •Arrange Walk and Talk Events - bringing friends and neighbours together out in nature •Wear our ‘Growing with Grief’ Campaign T shirts to help raise awareness •On the final day of the week, help to light local landmark buildings orange in support of those grieving in your community. Please see our NGAW25 website to download assets and access further information on the campaign. thegoodgrieftrust.org/ngaw/ Email us to order NGAW25 Campaign Packs - [email protected]

We are sharing this beautiful poem today, as we know this will resonate with many of us as we sit on a bench to reflect and remember someone we love.🧡 ************* ‘A walk with me on a short journey this morning to a beautiful bench overlooking a calm and tranquil bay. You sit on a bench and take in the warm air, the colorful hues of the water, and the smell of the sea. It's calm, it's peaceful, and it's inspiring. While your eyes are closed you feel the presence of another being and you open your eyes to see *that person* who meant the world to you but who's journey ended long before you were both prepared. Maybe it's a spouse, a child, a parent, a sibling or a dear friend. The close presence of this special person gives you peace and fills your soul with happiness. You will forever love them and they will forever love you. Let me ask you..... Would this person who loves you so deeply want you to be living your best life? Would they wish you guilt, agony, solitude, or anger? Would this person who fills your soul and makes you smile, would they tell you to go live with the days you have left? Of course they would. They would want you to live your best life. They would want you to take all you have learned and become better in this lifetime. Loss makes you special. I know that's hard to accept or understand but your loss has endowed you with beautiful gifts to share with the world. Close your eyes and imagine them there on that bench with you now. Look in their eyes and feel their deep desire for you to go live this life. They may be gone from our daily view but their greatest happiness is knowing you didn't die with them and that you are continuing to live while you can. Sit on the bench as long as you need to with them there and then go live. Promise me, and promise them that you will try’ Michelle ❤️