People sometimes compare grief, often without even realizing it. We might assume that the death of a child is harder than the death of a sibling, spouse, parent or friend. Even within our own families, one person's grief can unintentionally take a back seat to someone else's. A sibling may feel overlooked because everyone focused on their parents. A spouse may feel that no one understands what they're going through. A grandparent may be grieving their grandchild while watching their own child suffer, or even stepping in to raise the children left behind. And what about a close friend, cousin, aunt or uncle? Sometimes those relationships are just as close as our immediate family, but their grief may barely be acknowledged. Sometimes we even minimize our own grief because we think someone else has it worse. Grief isn't something we can measure by a relationship or a title. What someone meant to us, the bond we shared and the place they held in our lives are deeply personal. No one should have to prove how much someone meant to them to have their grief recognized. There is room for everyone's grief.
Read more: Comparing Grief and Why We Shouldn't do It
~Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
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MEETING CHANGES THIS WEEK
WEST BARNSTABLE group meeting both in-person and virtual for winter.
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
PSCP’s Holidays Through the Lens of Grief and Stress; Wednesday, November 18th, 5:00 - 6:30 pm ET An interactive psychoeducational workshop exploring the intersection of grief and stress during the holiday season. Explore why the holidays can intensify grief and stress, how expectations and traditions can affect experiences, and ways to navigate the season while honoring what we’re feeling and what we need. Learn more and register here.
New event: Holiday Gathering Canton MA Saturday 12/12/26 12:30-3:30 pm The holidays can be a lot. Join us for an afternoon to slow down, share a meal and spend time with people who understand. 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. Please don’t let the deposit be a barrier. If cost is an issue, just let us know. If you have any accessibility needs (physical or otherwise), please reach out. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported. REGISTER HERE For questions, please contact Cindy Kaplan at (508) 269-8428 cinkap56@gmail.com
RECENT HAPPENINGS AT TSWR!
A little creativity and time together made for a lovely afternoon at our Paint Party! Thank you to everyone who joined us and to Denise Feeney for guiding us through it. We’re grateful for these moments of connection.
Director of Engagement, David Swindell presented at the Southbridge Town Manager's Substance Use Resources Lunch & Learn. Pictured here: Carmen Ortes - Program Director, Bridge to Hope Malika Parham-Hill - MOAR Central MA Coordinator, David, Jannesa Torres - Program Director, Southbridge Community Connections, Seven Hills Foundation and Jerica Miner - Peer Coordinator, Bridge to Hope
Virtual Book Club Meets Once a Month!
2026–2027 Reading Selections
Just read the book selection and join us at our next virtual club meeting.
December 6, 2026
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
by Barbara Robinson
January 3, 2027
The Last Things I’ll Remember
by Randi Schalet
February 7, 2027
The Year of Magical Thinking
by Joan Didion
March 7, 2027
The Disappearance: A Memoir of Loss
by Geneviève Jurgensen
April 4, 2027
The Correspondent
by Virginia Evans
INTO LIGHT SUBMISSIONS
INTO LIGHT Project is accepting submissions in the following states now for Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories exhibitions in 2027.
INTO LIGHT Project is a national nonprofit working to change how people understand addiction, because stigma and misinformation cost lives. Our educational exhibition, Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories, pairs original graphite portraits with professionally written narratives about people who died from substance use disorder.
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