The Unexpected People Who Showed Up

Grief does strange things to relationships. Some people you thought would be there disappear. They don’t know what to say. They get uncomfortable. They mean well, but they step back instead of stepping up. And then, sometimes, the opposite happens. Someone you barely knew shows up and for whatever reason they just get it.

Maybe it’s a coworker who suddenly becomes your person. Maybe it’s a neighbor who starts checking in. Maybe it’s someone you only knew in passing, but they share their own story and for a moment, you don’t feel so alone. I had that happen. A friend of a friend reached out in those early days, first over Messenger, then text, then in person. Little by little, they helped me through those horrible first months when I felt couldn’t even breathe. I don’t even know if she realized how much it meant.

Have you had someone unexpected show up for you in your grief? Someone who made a difference, even in a small way? We’d love to hear about that person and how and why what they did helped. Share about them on our facebook page.

If you haven’t found someone to show up for you, look here, in our support groups. Relationships and communities built by peers supporting each other. The person that gets it may be one zoom, one in-person group or one event away.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

NEW ZOOM GROUP! WEST COAST ZOOM!

Thanks to our facilitator Randi Schalet, people in later time zones will now have an easier time joining a meeting! Of course anyone from any time zone is welcome! That means night owls on the east coast might find this a group a great match! First meeting is 3/16/25.

MEETING CHANGES

Hanson MA in-person group starts back up this week.

LGBTQ zoom group on pause.

Quincy MA in-person not meeting this month.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Visit Sunday March 23, 2025 11:00 am Boston MA

Please join us! Visiting together allows us to experience beauty, history and connection in a space shaped by resilience and creativity. Did you know Isabella was a bereaved mother? Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. For questions, please contact Cindy Kaplan at (508) 269-8428. Register Here.

SADOD’s Tools & Strategies for Grieving as a Family Virtual Psychoeducational Workshop March 25th 6:30-8:00 pm ET

Grief is a deeply personal experience, and even when family members are grieving the same loss, they may process it in very different ways. Join us for a workshop that will explore practical tools and strategies for grieving together as a family, supporting one another despite varying needs and approaches. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/family-grief-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

NEW EVENT! Drumming Through Trauma April 27, 2025 12:30-2:00 pm Cotuit MA

Drumming isn’t just music. It’s movement, it’s rhythm, it’s release. A way to express what words can’t. Drumming Through Trauma is a space to let go, feel the beat and release what’s been held inside. No experience needed. Drumming Through Trauma – REGISTER HERE! Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Questions? Please contact Judy Kelly: 781-264-0557 judyannkelly@gmail.com

FINISHED PRODUCTS FROM CLAY THERAPY ACTIVITY

Handmade with love, each box has it’s own unique charm. Please join us for one of our next free activities.

OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND UPDATES

Do you know of any listening sessions in your area? Let me know and I will add them here.

Medfield MA

Virtual listening session Tuesday 3/18/25. Use QR code to sign up.

Northeast MA Region Communities

Join the Northeast Region (see map below) listening session on Wednesday, March 19th from 1:30-5:30pm at the Lynn City Hall Auditorium. Sign up here.

Our Director Leslie Lagos will be on the panel representing people bereaved due to substance use related causes.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Please help donate items or money so we can support the homeless in Boston. Drop off M-F 8:30-4:30pm. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far!

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.

THIS WEEK’S MEETING INFORMATION

Monday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS - ZOOM 3/17/25 12:00-1:00 pm ET.

Kerry Bickford facilitating.

For grandparents that have experienced the death or estrangement of a grandchild due to substance use (theirs or their parents.) The focus of this Monday group will be on the grandparents.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2334755647

Meeting ID: 233 475 5647 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

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Monday - WEST COAST ZOOM - 3/17/25 6:00-7:30 pm PT. (9-10:30 ET)

Randi Schalet facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94271526145?pwd=3rKLM00dxB7ims2CKBZaq0JF6QSH1U.1

Meeting ID: 942 7152 6145

Passcode: 553677

One tap mobile 16469313860

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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, HANSON, MA 3/18/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Mary Peckham facilitating.

Calvary Baptist Church, 429 Monponsett Street, Hanson, MA

For anyone 18+ over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

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Wednesday - IN-PERSON, CHARLESTOWN, MA 3/19/25 6:00-7:00 pm ET.

Shannon Lundin & Michael Cain facilitating.

St. John’s Church 27 Devens St 2nd Floor Charlestown MA

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

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Wednesday - ZOOM 3/19/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET.

Karen Walsh and Rachel Solomon facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86470429283

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Wednesday - SIBLING ZOOM 3/19/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET.

Miriah Corso facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a sibling due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92909305605?pwd=IacFroINAxOZi94CLJRXZeTvbaL2lK.1

Meeting ID: 929 0930 5605

Passcode: 131849 or

One tap mobile 13126266799

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Special Event! - Sunday 3/23/25 - 11:00-1:00 PM ET

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM VISIT

REGISTER HERE

Do you know someone bereaved due to substance use related causes that would appreciate our weekly email?