Poems
Poetry can be a way into grief when regular words just don’t work. It gives shape to things we feel but can’t quite explain. A poem can hold anger, love, confusion, longing and even small moments of relief all at the same time. Sometimes a single line lands in a way that feels really personal, like someone else understands what we’re carrying. In grief spaces, poetry can open up conversations or simply let us sit together without pressure. When talking feels hard, the words can speak for us. Sometimes I find myself reading the same one over and over because it speaks to me so strongly. A poem that I listened to and watched this week that had me captivated was Mycelial by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer .The infographic below offers a simple way to try writing a grief poem of your own. There’s no right way to do it, so this is just an invitation to put a few words on the page and see what comes. Share them on our private facebook page if you’d like others to read them. Your poem may be the one that resonates with someone else!
Read more: Why Poetry Speaks to Grief & Loss by Shelbey Forsythia
with care
~ Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
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THE WEEK AHEAD MEETING CHANGES
Brockton MA meeting cancelled for 1/7/26.
Regular meeting cancelled for 1/7/26.
NEW FACILITATOR & MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT!
Coming soon in March 2026! Peer Grief Support for Adults After the Death of a Parent Due to Substance Use Related Causes
You asked an we listened. There are many of you who have experienced the death of your parent due to substance use or you know someone who has. We are creating a specialized group, just for this sub group of members. It is for people 18 and older. Meet the facilitator: Jane Small lives on Cape Cod with her husband Scot and their two Poodles Liam and Chloe. Jane joined TSWR in 2022 after the death of her daughter Jessica. Her mother died due to alcoholism when she was younger. Jane graduated Lesley College School of Counseling Psychology with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and worked in Residential Treatment for Incest Survivors for several years, then transitioned to working Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitals in Natick MA. Jane says, “As her own to children began to mature and as a sober single mother it became clear to me I needed to find less stressful profession and one with more flexible hours. For the following 20 years I ran my own business training and showing dogs, the birth of Puppy Perfect Dog Training. This lead me to my ultimate dream showing dogs and breeding champion poodles. Seven years ago I retired to my Cape House full time. Once on the Cape I pursued Organic Farming and Dahlia growing. We grow Organic Berries and Vegetables and are self sustaining for 7 months of the year. I am a person in Recovery 30 yrs now, and work with young single mothers on Sober Living and challenges of single parenting. My grief journey taught me the most valuable form of healing was talking to other grievers and sharing with them. I am looking forward to giving back what has so generously been given to me though TSWR groups.” Welcome Jane! The group will meet via Zoom the the 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 7:00-8:00 pm ET, starting in March 2026.
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Pebble Art Workshop Saturday 1/17/26 2:00-4:00pm Sharon MA REGISTER HERE! Have you ever wanted to learn how to create a picture using materials found directly off the beach? Come join local guest artist Kerry Consentino- Vilorio owner of The Orange Jellyfish, who creates beautiful custom pebble art and sea glass designs, for a fun and creative event. Ages 18+ 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. Questions? Contact Judy Kelly Judy judyannkelly@gmail.com 781-264-0557
SADOD’s January Pyschoeducational Workshop. Tuesday, January 27, 2026 6:30-8:00pm ET. Whether this is the first new year that you are going into since the loss of your loved one or whether you’ve done it before, starting a new year while grieving can be scary and overwhelming. This time of year is often viewed as a time for positive change and growth, but for individuals grieving it can bring unwanted change- a sense of getting further away from our deceased loved ones. This workshop will normalize and assuage these concerns while providing practical tools to take more ownership over this inevitable change.This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/new-years-grief. 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
Just Claying Around Painting Workshop 2/22/26 10:00 am-12:00 pm Bridgewater MA REGISTER HERE! Join The Sun Will Rise Foundation for a relaxed, low-key creative gathering focused on painting ceramic pieces. A selection of ceramics will be available to choose from. All materials are provided. Ages 18+ 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. Questions? Please contact Natalie Patricio: 774-955-7752 jeepgirl474@gmail.com
OUR ANNUAL SUPPLY DRIVE
JOIN OUR VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB!
The January 2026 book choice is Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li. We will have a facilitated discussion about it on 1/11/26!
NEW DATE! 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
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.
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