It’s Complicated
We don’t talk about this one enough. Sometimes the relationship you had with the person who died was difficult. Maybe it was not what you needed. And then they die and nothing is resolved and it still hurts. It can feel confusing. There can be sadness mixed with anger. Or relief that brings guilt with it. This is because you’re not just grieving the person who died. You’re also grieving what the relationship was or what it never got to be. If that’s where you are, nothing about it is wrong. It’s just real.
Read more: When Someone Dies that You Had a Complicated Relationship With
with care
~ Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
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HERE’S SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK AT TSWR
Smash Room success! Some of the young adult members got to release frustrations and emotions out with others who get it!
HALO & The Sun Will Rise brainstorming on how to better support people bereaved due to substance use related causes together!
Director Leslie Lagos visited Hope Beyond Hope Women’s Recovery Home during their Spring Renewal 2026
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
LAST CALL! Intimacy of Memory: An Art-Making Event to Remember Those Who Have Died Saturday, April 25, 2026 12:00 - 3:00 pm Simmons University Boston MA. Participants of this relaxed & mutually supportive workshop will be guided in the creation of a personal work of art related to the death of a loved one. They will explore how art can play a pivotal role in healing & communicating about the experience of grief. No art experience needed. Geared toward university students and young adults (18-35) and is being held on the Simmons' campus. Registration required.
SADOD’s April Psychoeducational Workshop- Changing Family Dynamics: Planning for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and More: Tuesday April 28, 2026 7:00-8:30 pm ET This virtual workshop invites and welcomes anyone, regardless of relationship to your loved one. Through discussion, reflection, shared stories, and suggestions of how one can approach these days, we will help you understand how to navigate milestones (beyond Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day) without the physical presence of a cherished family member. Learn more and register at bit.ly/family-dynamics-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. Non-MA residents, if cost is an issue, use promo code SCHOLARSHIP to register for free.
Kintsugi Heart Workshop May 9, 2026 1:00-4:00 pm West Barnstable MA Participants will make and glaze clay hearts and then etch with the name or a word of your choice onto it. The potter will take the hearts home to fire them, and when the heart is returned to you, you will use a gold metallic pen to perform the Kintsugi - symbolizing our broken hearts. Registration required. Over 18 event. 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. Questions about the event? Please contact Kerry Bickford: 508-932-1981 kerry@peersupportcommunitypartners.com
Community Meal Thursday, May 28, 2026 1:00 - 2:30 PM Taunton Peer Recovery Center Taunton MA Join us for a Community Meal to meet the people behind the free services and support available in Taunton MA & the surrounding communities. Give-aways - Literature - Lunch - Community - Care - Free Services - Support - Raffles All ages welcome Registration appreciated but not required (we’d like to prepare for the meal.)
If you are a local community organization offering free services for those in or seeking recovery and/or grieving the death of someone they care about to a substance use related death, please join and bring your literature to share.
Three Dimensional Wool Felting Workshop May 30, 2026 10:00 am- 12:00 pm Rockland MA In this beginner friendly class you will learn the basics of needle felting. The class will go through safety, tips and tricks and you will go home with the beginner knowledge of felting in three dimensions. Participants will transform carded wool fibers into beautiful cardinal. Registration required. 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. Questions? Contact Judy Kelly judyannkelly@gmail.com 781-264-0557
Community Meal Thursday, June, 4 2026 4:30-6:00 PM CORE Peer Recovery & Resource Center Gloucester MA Join us for a Community Meal to meet the people behind the free services and support available in Gloucester MA & the surrounding communities. Give-aways - Literature - Dinner - Community - Care - Free Services - Support - Raffles All ages welcome Registration appreciated but not required (we’d like to prepare for the meal.)
If you are a local community organization offering free services for those in or seeking recovery and/or grieving the death of someone they care about to a substance use related death, please join and bring your literature to share.
Third Annual Men’s BBQ Sunday 5/31/26 1:00 pm Wrentham MA We are proud to sponsor this annual event hosted by Gilly’s House. Free for men bereaved due to substance use related causes or suicide. Come stand Shoulder to Shoulder with other men and experience a day of food, cornhole and community! Register here. Questions? David@thesunwillrise.org
Renew, Refresh, Reset Grief Retreat for Bereaved Parents Date: June 26-28 2026 or August 14-16 2026 Rolling Ridge Retreat & Conference Center 660 Great Pond Rd North Andover MA Team Sharing (TS) & The Sun Will Rise Foundation (TSWR) are excited to announce two weekend retreats for parents bereaved due to substance use related causes! These retreats are designed as an opportunity to renew, refresh, reset and build community. Includes: Lodging, meals and activities for the weekend. Cost: The actual cost of this retreat is $388 per person. Thanks to dedicated grant funding, there is NO cost to attendees. There is however a $50 per person refundable deposit to hold the spot. We will send a payment link, once your spot is confirmed. Travel: Attendees will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs to and from the retreat center. Agenda: Tentative schedule. Subject to change. Space is limited. Completing THIS FORM lets us know you’re interested, but it does not confirm a spot. We will follow up once registrations have been reviewed and placements are finalized. If we have more interest than space available, we will add a waitlist. Questions? Contact Cheryl Juarie Cherju4339@aol.com
WHERE YOU’LL FIND US!
We will have a resource table at The Weymouth MA Health & Wellness Fair 4/26/26 10:00 am-1:00 pm. Stop by and meet us!
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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Want to volunteer for The Sun Will Rise? Sign up here!
Click here to view past newsletters on our website
“Please be happy. The sun will rise” ~Nick Bean