Nobody warns you about the numbness.
We talk about the waves. The gut punch moments. The grief that stops you in your tracks. And that's all real. But there's another kind nobody mentions. The flat days. The ones where nothing is acute but nothing feels okay either. You're not crying. You're not falling apart. You're just kind of numb or dull. Going through the motions. Doing the things you're supposed to do but not feeling anything. And somehow that feels worse. At least the waves feel like something. The flat days feel like nothing. Like you're moving through life behind glass. I've had those days. A lot of them. Where I wasn't sad exactly. Just empty. Just going. That's grief too. The undramatic, unglamorous, just getting through the day kind. Nobody gives you credit for surviving the flat days. But you should.
Read more: Feeling Nothing During Grief
with care
~ Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
A special thank you to everyone who volunteers to make TSWR what it is! We could not provide the support we do without you!
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MEETING CHANGES THIS WEEK
The Grandparents group is meeting this week to make up for Patriots Day.
HERE’S SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY AT TSWR
The Weymouth MA Health & Wellness Fair was a great success. We connected with old friends and met lots of new ones during the day! Bauer the therapy dog was happy to learn about all the support we offer!
Director Leslie Lagos, met two time Stanley Cup champion, Kevin Stevens and his sister Kelli Wilson and learned more about their non-profit Power Forward. Their mission is about fighting addiction through education, empowerment and innovation.
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
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 Saturday 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
Joy Culture Movement Workshop Saturday May 16, 2026 1:00-3:00pm Boston MA A movement based workshop led by Rasheeda Faulk, creates spaces where movement feels approachable. You do not need to know how to dance. You do not need to be “good” at anything.
The hardest part is just showing up. Rasheeda’s approach is simple: just have fun and move your body in a way that feels right to you. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. This workshop, held in collaboration with Mad Moms, The Phoenix & Newform is designed to be a safe, supportive space where people bereaved due to substance use related causes can:
release tension
reconnect with their body
experience moments of joy without pressure
Questions? Contact Leslie@thesunwillrise.org or david@thesunwillrise.org
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.
Longtime group members Elaine Rico-Moore and Kevin Moore celebrate their son Kevin with an annual fundraiser. Join with other local group members on 5/29/26 to connect for a night out for a great cause. Contact Elaine for more details: 617-922-3071.
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
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
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.
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
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