In one our groups this week we talked about searching for the answers that aren’t there. The mind can become relentless. We go back through old conversations and text messages. We try to reconstruct the final days. We wonder who knew what, when something changed and whether there was one moment when a different choice could have changed everything. What did I miss? Why didn’t I realize how serious it was? What if I had called? What if I had said something differently? What if I had done more? We search because accepting that we cannot go back sometimes feels impossible. Somewhere inside us is the hope that if we can just understand exactly what happened, we might finally be able to fix it. But there is no answer that can change the ending. That doesn’t mean the questions disappear. They can return without warning, even years later. Sometimes we find new information and the searching begins all over again. Grief has a way of convincing us that we should have known then what we only understand now. You made decisions based on what you knew at the time. You loved your person in the middle of circumstances that were complicated beyond your control. You were never supposed to have all the answers. We may never stop wishing we could go back and change something. But slowly, we can begin to put down the responsibility for fixing what was never ours to fix alone.
Read more about Hindsight Bias
~Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
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MEETING CHANGES THIS WEEK
Grieving the Death of a Parent group cancelled for 9/9/26
POLL REGARDING NEW 8-WEEK GROUP
If you are interested in attending an upcoming 8-week grief support group in Braintree MA, please complete this poll. This will look different than our regular groups. This is a pilot program, is made possible from an opioid fund grant from The Town of Braintree.
10 YEAR CELEBRATION! OUR LARGEST FUNDRAISER IN YEARS! Please help keep our peer grief support free!
Tickets are close to sell out. Buy your tickets now! On October 3, 2026 we'll gather for a very special evening as we celebrate 10 years of The Sun Will Rise Foundation, recognize Cheryl Juaire's incredible contributions as she retires and look ahead to this new chapter together as Team Sharing & The Sun Will Rise merge. We would love for you to be there!
For $25, you can include a short message in memory of someone you care about. You do not need to attend the celebration to place a tribute. We would love to fill the memory book with the people who brought all of us together.
Sponsor or Donate! There are many meaningful ways to be part of this special evening. Become a sponsor or make a donation to help keep all our support options free to grievers! Your support helps ensure that people bereaved due to substance use-related causes never have to grieve alone.
Have you always wanted a low-digit license plate???Here is your chance. Bid on a Low-Number Overdose Awareness Plate Our online auction for Massachusetts Overdose Awareness plates numbered 1–99 is now open! These plates have not been available to the public until now! Bid on a meaningful number while supporting TSWR’s free peer grief support for people bereaved due to substance use-related causes. And yes, if you already have a higher digit plate and want to bid on one of these you are eligible! Most bids for the plates start at a $500. Certain single digit numbers are higher. Auction closes 10/3/26!
MEET OUR NEWEST FACILITATOR
Welcome and thanks to our newest facilitator Adrienne Mincz. She started facilitating our newest in-person group in Ipswich this month. From Adrienne: “My journey into grief support began with the most profound loss of my life, the passing of my son, Alexander, due to an overdose on September 22, 2022. Struggling with this heartbreak led me to The Sun Will Rise and the RIVER peer grief support training. Through Grief Support I hope to honor our loved ones and provide a safe and compassionate space to share our grief.” Please join Adrienne at the next Ipswich meeting which will take place 10/1/26 at 6:00 PM.
HERE IS SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED AT TSWR RECENTLY!
Our volunteers and members made it to lots of IOAD events offering support, honoring those we remember and reminding families that they are not alone. It was also wonderful to see so many of the partner organizations we work with. It takes a village to provide so much wonderful support!
A giant thank you to everyone who helped removed the IOAD memorial flags this year. We appreciate your help! We are always looking for new volunteers. Sign up here.
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Tuesday, September 22nd, 6:30 - 8:00 pm Peer Support Community Partners’ psychoeducational workshop: Grief and Anger: How to Cope with a Natural Reaction to Loss. Many grieving people experience anger, toward circumstances, systems, other people, themselves, or even the person who died. Yet anger in grief is often misunderstood, judged, or difficult to talk about openly. You will explore why anger can emerge in grief, the many ways it may show up emotionally and physically, and compassionate ways to cope with and express these feelings. Learn more and register at bit.ly/grief-anger-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. REGISTER.
Buy your tickets now! On October 3, 2026 we'll gather for a very special evening as we celebrate 10 years of The Sun Will Rise Foundation, recognize Cheryl Juaire's incredible contributions as she retires and look ahead to this new chapter together as Team Sharing & The Sun Will Rise merge. We hope you'll join us.
BUTTERFLY RELEASE
Milton MA is hosting an IOAD Butterfly Release ceremony on Sunday, September, 20th 10 am. Bring a framed picture of your person.
THE 13th ANNUAL FAMILY RESTORED MEMORIAL WALK
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!
Join our private Facebook page.
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