WHEN THANKSGIVING FEELS COMPLICATED
For a lot of people in our grieving community, Thanksgiving is not a warm, cozy holiday. It can be a day full of empty chairs, complicated family dynamics, mixed feelings about gratitude with memories that hit out of nowhere. You might be thinking about the last holiday you had together or the years you spent worrying. Your hear people talk about “thankfulness” without them understanding what your life looks like now. If this is you, you’re not doing anything wrong. There is nothing ungrateful about missing the person who died. There is nothing ungrateful about feeling angry, numb or exhausted. You are allowed to feel how you feel. Here are a few ideas to get through the day. And remember we are continuing to offer our free peer led groups throughout the holiday season. Some groups are in person and some are online. We are having a special Pre-Thanksgiving zoom Monday 11/24/25. Our private Facebook page is open 24/7. If you’re having a hard moment, you can post, read or just know there are others awake with you.
To our facilitators: Thank you for showing up month after month. You take on a role that isn’t easy, especially around the holidays and you do it with so much heart. You make these groups possible.
To our group members: Thank you for trusting us with your stories, your tears, your anger, and your love. Thank you for saying your person’s name out loud and for listening to others who are carrying their own heavy days. Every time you walk into a meeting in person or on Zoom you remind someone else that they’re not alone. And if all you’ve ever done, is read this weekly email, we are thankful for you too. We know that our grief community reaches far and wide and we are glad to know you are a part of it.
~ Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
If you receive this email weekly, you do NOT have to pre-register for the Thanksgiving zoom.
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Please check the calendar before you drive to an in-person group…last-minute changes can happen. If it is not listed on the monthly calendar, it is cancelled for that date.
If you’re receiving this email, you do not need to pre-register again.
EAST BOSTON MA group not meeting this month.
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
HOLIDAY PARTY Saturday, December 13, 2025 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Canton MA Take a break from the holiday rush and join us for an afternoon together. This will be a simple, welcoming time to connect with others who understand. We will eat a meal together, share stories and enjoy some gentle company during the season. REGISTER HERE! We’ll also have an ornament making activity. If you’d like, please bring along a favorite dessert of your person’s to share! Everything else will be provided. Come as you are, it’s about being together and finding a bit of warmth and support during this time of year.
Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding. Please don’t let the deposit be a barrier, if cost is an issue, just let us know. We’re committed to making this event accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility needs (physical or otherwise), please reach out. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported. Registration Required. Please let us know of any food allergies. For questions, contact Cindy Kaplan at (508) 269-8428 cinkap56@gmail.com
HEALING FOR THE HOLIDAYS Saturday, December 13, 2025 4:00 PM-6:00 PM SALEM MA Join us for a comforting evening of connection and creativity this holiday season. REGISTER HERE! We’ll share a meal together and take part in two meaningful activities, creating cards of hope and encouragement to be delivered to individuals currently in addition treatment and decorating ornaments in remembrance of our people who have died. It’s a gentle space to give, reflect, and find healing through kindness and community.
There is no cost to take part in this activity. If you have any accessibility needs (physical or otherwise), please reach out. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported. Please let us know of any food allergies. Registration required or RSVP to Nike. For questions, please contact Nike Laskaris 617-333-1794 nlaskaris@essexcountyoutreach.com
SADOD’s December Psychoeducational Workshop. Tuesday, December 16, 2025 6:30-8:00 pm ET Stories are a way of showing us how we see the world and what is sacred to us. This workshop, led by nationally-recognized storyteller, Meghann Perry, will offer an opportunity to explore a new relationship to the stories of the death of our person. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/changing-narrative-workshop. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org
JOIN OUR VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB!
The December book choice is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. We will have a facilitated discussion about it on 12/14/25!
CATHOLIC CHARITIES RETREAT
The Outreach Coordinator for Recovering Connections - Laboure Center asked that we share this retreat opportunity with with our members who are bereaved mothers. TSWR Facilitator Tracy Carter will be a speaker at this retreat. Questions or to register, please contact Jean Barrineau 617-464-8501 jean_barrineau@ccab.org
INTO LIGHT
INTO LIGHT Project, a national non-profit, creates public exhibitions of original portraits and individual stories of people who have died from the disease of drug addiction in locations around the country.
They are taking submissions now for the Hawaii, Wisconsin & Vermont Exhibits.
HALO INITIATIVES: FAMILY OVERDOSE SUPPORT FUND
Boston Residents! If you are a BOSTON resident who has experienced the death of a family member to overdose within the last 2 years, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial support. Apply here.
LOOKING FOR THE ZOOM LINKS & MEETING INFO? CLICK HERE
Do you know someone bereaved due to substance use related causes that would appreciate our weekly email? Have them sign up here for support!
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“Please be happy. The sun will rise” ~Nick Bean