Another Seasons of Grieving

[chansen]

I posted this to Cruxifusion this morning and thought some people here might be interested.

Another Seasons of Grieving

So I took my daughter back to Seasons Centre in Barrie last night to begin a new year of being a mentor to children who have experienced the death of a sibling. This year is already shaping up to be a better experience for her. There are new kids in the group, and the unfortunate thing is there...

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[chansen]

Because I'm back, I'll drag this whole OP from two weeks ago back here:


So I took my daughter back to Seasons Centre in Barrie last night to begin a new year of being a mentor to children who have experienced the death of a sibling.

This year is already shaping up to be a better experience for her. There are new kids in the group, and the unfortunate thing is there are new kids in the group. The ones who “graduated” from the program were a couple years older and did not take the sessions very seriously. The new kids are younger and are better behaved. They are already talking and opening up. I don’t have the particulars (Claire would never share that, even when she was a client), but I do know that one child shared a very sad story of loss.

It made me think of the parent that was with us downstairs when we were there with Claire. This mom could never bring herself to share the story of how her son died. Then one day, she was on new anti-depressants. She related every detail of the accident in plain, matter-of-fact language. I barely slept that night. I’ve not told anyone the story because I don’t want the same for them. I still think about it.

But the new group is positive and chatty and one girl seems to already love Claire. At the end of the night she clung onto her and tried to take Claire home with her.

I think Claire needed that.

 

[chansen]

Last night was week 2. Claire comes out of these sessions in different places, depending on how the sessions went. Last night was one of the best ever.

I spend most sessions in the Barrie Public Library across the street. She texts me when done, and we generally meet in the parking lot.

This time she was skipping. Skipping is good.

She got to play. She loves any excuse to be a kid again. She can feel the impending end of her childhood. Her friends haven't wanted to talk about kid things for years. Everyone is so eager to grow up, and Claire's not against that, but she loves to play and this volunteer position allows her to do that some weeks.

Last night, she got to throw exercise balls at children. Not hard, she explained to me. But she did knock down some kids, which made her smile.

She also got to discuss taking psychology in university with an actual psychologist. Asking people questions is difficult for her. She forever feels like she is burdening people. Last night, with fewer children and a more relaxed atmosphere, she did. And she's happy she did.

And the kids called her an "old woman", which is apparently a good thing? She's the youngest "buddy" (mentor) by far. But they use that term when attacking in the "volcano room" to let out their frustrations by throwing things. Like exercise balls. At kids.

I desperately want a turn.

 

[Luce NDs]

Because I'm back, I'll drag this whole OP from two weeks ago back here:


So I took my daughter back to Seasons Centre in Barrie last night to begin a new year of being a mentor to children who have experienced the death of a sibling.

This year is already shaping up to be a better experience for her. There are new kids in the group, and the unfortunate thing is there are new kids in the group. The ones who “graduated” from the program were a couple years older and did not take the sessions very seriously. The new kids are younger and are better behaved. They are already talking and opening up. I don’t have the particulars (Claire would never share that, even when she was a client), but I do know that one child shared a very sad story of loss.

It made me think of the parent that was with us downstairs when we were there with Claire. This mom could never bring herself to share the story of how her son died. Then one day, she was on new anti-depressants. She related every detail of the accident in plain, matter-of-fact language. I barely slept that night. I’ve not told anyone the story because I don’t want the same for them. I still think about it.

But the new group is positive and chatty and one girl seems to already love Claire. At the end of the night she clung onto her and tried to take Claire home with her.

I think Claire needed that.

Facing and dealing with death in reality is a very tough experience ... that many would sooner deny than face thus that contrary mood!

This is really graphic in forensic pathology ... especially if folk are not adequately prepared ...bi times it is difficult to buy into ... i.e. unbelievable behavior constructs ... been there done that but extremely lucky to have some of the grandest mentors from the darker (mysterious) world of psyche ...

Some are real dudes as professionals in various fields! They simply don't have the psyche required for the chore ...

Like teaching children about the reality of fairytales ... Aesop vision as a bit soppy? There's a vast pool of them ... vastly corrupted ... large cracks?

 

[BetteTheRed]

Claire is a totally awesome kid.

 

[chansen]

Meh.