SPRING CLEANING
April always make me think of spring cleaning. A time to clean things out and start fresh. But when you're grieving, sometimes even the idea of sorting through any of your stuff can feel like too much.
I remember one spring, about a year after Nick died, I decided to clean out the hall closet. Nothing major, just clearing space. But hanging in the back was his EMT jacket. It still had a pen in the pocket and a little wrapper from a candy. I sat on the floor and held it for a long time and I didn’t clean anything else that day.
Grief shows up like that. Sometimes it’s in the big things, but a lot of times it’s in a random box or drawer you weren’t even planning to open. Deciding what to keep and what to let go of isn’t just about stuff. It’s about love and connection and memory.
You don’t have to do it all at once. You don’t even have to do it this year. But if you are ready, be gentle with yourself. Go slow. Let the moments happen. There’s no right way to go through it.
Read more: Grief Cleaning: How to Separate Memories from Things While Decluttering.
~ With care
Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
Healing Through Wonder SADOD Psychoeductional Workshop April 22, 2025 6:30-8:00 pm ET Author and Psychology Today blogger Val Walker will share healing stories from trauma and grief survivors who’ve been transformed by encounters with awe and wonder. She will also report on recent neuroscience research that shows how experiences of awe and wonder restore our outlook and wellbeing and strengthen our spiritual awareness. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/healing-through-wonder. 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
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
Mother’s Day Luminaria Workshop May 10, 2025 2:00 pm West Barnstable MA. Attendees will make a beautiful memorial candle holder that they will stamp or inscribe themselves. Assembly and stamping on the 10th and the potter, Holly Heaslip will take attendees to her shops to fire and glaze. We will arrange pick-up a week or so later. Rev. Tara O'Keefe will also offer a Mother's Day blessing and Kerry Bickford will provide support as needed. 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 Kerry Bickford: 1-508-932-1981 kerry@peersupportcommunitypartners.org
Remembering our Angels 5K TEAM! May 10th 2025 10:00 am Marlborough MA Join the The Sun Will Rise team and walk/run with us at The Remembering our Angels 5k Run/Walk!!! The Sun Will Rise Foundation, Inc. is honored to walk again this year in support, remembrance and community. Last year, over 50 of us came together as a team and we’re ready to do it again! We walk to honor them, to support each other and to show that no one has to grieve alone. Join our team! If you have already registered individually and would like to join the team, just let me know. DEADLINE to sign up and get a race t-shirt is 4/16/25.
May 11, 2025 4:00 pm ET Mother’s Day Zoom Mark your calendars for a special Mother’s Day late afternoon zoom facilitated by Judy Kelly.
NON-SUBSTANCE USE RELATED GRIEF ACTIVITY
Equine-Assisted Retreat. One of our facilitators asked that we share this with the group members. She has attended a session with this provider and noted that it was great. Please note, this is not a Sun Will Rise activity. We do not have any further information beyond the flyer.
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.
MEETING CHANGES THIS WEEK
One time location change for Faith Based Hope After Loss.
Moving Forward Parents changed to 4/27/25 this month.
The Family Restored regular zoom changed to 4/23/25 this month.
People in Recovery Hybrid group starts this week.
LGBTQ on pause this month.
Winthrop MA on pause this month.
THIS WEEK’S MEETING INFORMATION
Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 4/14/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET.
Cheryl Juaire facilitating.
289 Elm St (This is a one time change of address)
For anyone 18 and over of the Christian faith who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
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Monday - MOM’S ONLY - ZOOM 4/14/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.
Tracy Carter and Karen Swindell facilitating.
For mothers who have experienced the death of a child(ren) due to substance use.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81904227569?pwd=YnSJwFTN6DFsHTYnPhfMHqUue9ZaL9.1
Meeting ID: 819 0422 7569
Passcode: 807237 or
One tap mobile 13052241968
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Monday - SUICIDE RELATED DEATH- ZOOM 4/14/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
Don Lipstein facilitating.
For anyone 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. Whether you know for sure that suicide was the cause of death or you are uncertain, you will find support here.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84104821860?pwd=gwiYOLLDBU5dcbDRYCjQW3bxKYQ9DK.1
Meeting ID: 841 0482 1860
Passcode: 886489 or
One tap mobile 13017158592
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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, HANSON, MA 4/15/25 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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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, QUINCY, MA 4/15/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.
Robyn Houston-Bean facilitating.
New Way Recovery, 85 Quincy Avenue, Quincy, 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 - PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - IN-PERSON & ZOOM (HYBRID), WEYMOUTH, MA 4/16/25 12:00-1:30 pm ET.
Leslie Lagos facilitating.
Wey of Life Peer Recovery Center, 383 Bridge Street, Weymouth, MA.
For anyone 18 and over who identifies as being in recovery from any substance including alcohol who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85221462188?pwd=ql6VNmDPCtqRJD6OmCP7XCQAE9TFg1.1
Meeting ID: 852 2146 2188
Passcode: 430591 or
One tap mobile 16469313860
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Wednesday - IN-PERSON, CHARLESTOWN, MA 4/16/25 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 - SIBLING ZOOM 4/16/25 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
FOR FUTURE DATES, CHECK OUT OUR MEETING SCHEDULE PAGE
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