Grief and Drumming

Drumming might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to grief support, but it can be surprisingly powerful. When you're grieving, emotions like anger, sadness and numbness build up. Drumming gives those emotions somewhere to go. It’s a way to release, without needing to explain, without needing to make sense of what you’re feeling.

Drumming also helps settle the nervous system. Grief puts your body in a state of high alert, whether you notice it or not. The steady rhythm of drumming can calm your breathing and slow your heart rate. I remember trying drumming for the first time with a restorative justice program, not knowing what to expect. I wasn’t in the mood for anything, honestly. But after a few minutes of just following the beat, something in me softened. I didn’t leave feeling “fixed,” but I felt lighter. And for that day, that was enough.

There’s also something really meaningful about doing it in a group. Grief can be isolating, but sitting in a circle creating rhythm with other people, creates connection in a different way. If you’re curious, we’d love to have you at our upcoming Drumming Through Trauma event. You don’t need experience. Just come as you are.

Watch a video about the instructor Sam Holmstock and this drumming program.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

STAFF NEWS!

WE HAVE OUR VERY FIRST INTERN! MEET LA’NEISHA JENKINS!

Hello, my name is La'Neisha! I'm a sophomore at Curry College, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Public Relations. As a passionate and dedicated marketing intern, I enjoy finding creative ways to connect with people and tell compelling stories. In my free time, I love exploring new opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

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

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

BEREAVEMENT RESEARCH

Join Evermore's Lived Experience Bereavement Research Network (LEBRN) Help Shape the Future of Bereavement Research. LEBRN will bring together people with varied backgrounds and expertise, including people who have experienced bereavement themselves — bereaved parents, children, siblings, spouses, and community leaders — alongside bereavement care providers and researchers.

With the input from those living with grief, researchers will know the most important research questions to ask and what kinds of care models and interventions should be developed. It's FREE! It's virtual. Sign up today!

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 - JOURNEY TO HOPE-PEER GRIEF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS - ZOOM 4/7/25 6:00-7:00 pm ET.

Gail Langley & Robyn Stokowski facilitating.

For parents who have experienced the death of a child due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94114510999?pwd=XPycxdOzIsNYzFy58Jk3VW7a4lG4Wd.1

Meeting ID: 941 1451 0999

Passcode: 953667 or

One tap mobile 16469313860

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Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 4/7/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Darlene Mersereau facilitating.

Crossroads Church, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA

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

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Monday - ZOOM - 4/7/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.

Aileen Lovejoy & Deb Dowd-Foley facilitating.

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

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86930927959?pwd=i4N7hWEhAtD4HPnBKCBi9LGEF7AGbt.1

Meeting ID: 869 3092 7959

Passcode: 239207 or

One tap mobile +16469313860

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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, NATHAN’S CIRCLE, WEST BARNSTABLE, MA 4/8/25 5:30-7:00 pm ET.

Kerry and Richard Bickford facilitating.

Compass Rose Center 1106 Main St West Barnstable MA

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

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Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 4/8/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.

Kar-Kate Parenteau facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a partner, spouse or significant other due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86578435343?pwd=avNFpCQpiLGCsKRKFEsexJj7E87gM5.1

Meeting ID: 865 7843 5343

Passcode: 287422 or

One tap mobile: 13052241968

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Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 4/8/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.

Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating.

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

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96961980647?pwd=cFVTMHR3VE9COGc3UGdIZHo4TWVaZz09#success

Meeting ID: 969 6198 0647

Password: 300626 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

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Wednesday - PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - ZOOM 4/9/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET.

Franklin Cook facilitating/Tavyn Thuringer co-facilitating.

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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86983267032?pwd=PVCMDdMoBrdSoZJ3G52Mrdu7FMLuvT.1

Meeting ID: 869 8326 7032

Passcode: 980796

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Wednesday - IN-PERSON, AUBURN, MA 4/9/25 3:00-4:00 pm ET.

Kathryn Peirce facilitating, Katie Bradley co-facilitating.

Kiva Centers, 206 Southbridge Street, Auburn, 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 - GRIEVING MULTIPLE LOVED ONES - ZOOM 4/9/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.

Annie Avitabile facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of multiple loved ones due to substance use.