Grieving a Future That Won’t Happen

Some of the hardest parts of grief are the pieces other people don’t see. You expect the birthdays, the anniversaries, the missing them at a holiday. But then something else hits you, a graduation that should’ve happened, a wedding that will never take place, a child or grandchild that won’t be born, a trip that they won’t take. And you realize, you're grieving the future.

A person in one of our groups said they avoid baby showers. It’s not because they don’t love their friends, it’s because that was supposed to be them one day, but their boyfriend died and the baby they future planned for will never be. That version of life is gone and it hurts. It’s not about just missing their person, it’s about not having the life they imagined. Grief shows up in so many ways.

If you feel like sharing about a future moment you are grieving, post it on our private facebook page.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

MONTHLY CALENDAR

View the interactive monthly calendar here. This is where you will find up to date meeting information, zoom links and location information!

THE WEEK AHEAD

Portland ME cancelled due to holiday
Grieving Grandparents moved to 7/10/25 due to holiday

UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

SADOD’s July PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP Reaching Out with Val Walker: 10 Ways to Build Community When Grieving Tuesday 7/22/25 6:30pm ET In uncertain times, such as when we are grieving, many of us are asking: “How do I make new connections?” Author, bereaved person, rehabilitation consultant, and Psychology Today blogger, Val Walker, will lead a discussion where we will share ideas and real-life success stories of how we can expand and enrich our social life. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/building-community-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: Tall Ship Cruise Saturday 8/16/25 12:00 pm. Seaport Boston MA. Set sail with us aboard The Liberty Star, a 67-foot wooden schooner designed as a replica of an 1890s coastal sailing vessel. Limit: 4 tickets per family. Reserve Your Spot HERE

Cost: FREE – but requires a $20 per person deposit. You’ll receive the full deposit back at the event. We ask for this to help us continue offering events like this at no cost to you. Questions? Contact Natalie at 774-955-7752 jeepgirl474@gmail.com We’d love to have you with us for this peaceful and meaningful afternoon on the water.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are looking for volunteers to staff our grief support resource tables for the many International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) events that are coming up. Please let us know if you can help out at any of these IOAD events by completing this sign up form. More to come!

Aug 26th @ 6:00pm- Brockton MA

Aug 28th @ 6:30pm - Weymouth, MA

Aug 28th @ 6:30pm - Canton, MA

Aug 29th @9:00am - Boston MA

THE SUN WILL RISE IN THE COMMUNITY

From Worcester to Walpole MA and beyond, you will find The Sun Will Rise Volunteers connecting with Community! Thanks to Aileen Lovejoy & Deb Foley for tabling at the Veterans’s Stand Down and Judy Kelly, Cindy Kaplan and Natalie Patricio for hosting the event at Bird Park!

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.