Wings of Hope

~A service for grieving children

GRIEVING is a big word! What does it mean? It describes a whole bunch of feelings you might have when someone you are close to has died or moved away. You might feel sad, mad, guilty or numb. You might feel relieved because your loved one is not hurting any more. You can have all sorts of feelings. You do not have to be a grown-up to grieve. Your feelings are normal.

If you have lost someone you love, REMEMBER:

• It’s okay to talk about and ask questions about the person you have lost. It’s even okay to laugh when remembering funny things they said or did!
• Know that what happened to them is not your fault. Find an adult you trust (a parent, grandparent, teacher) and talk to them about your feelings.
• Be honest about your feelings and find safe ways to get them out. (There are some ideas about how to do this on the web sites listed below).
• Stay active with things you enjoy, like sports, music, and art or dance classes.
• You don’t have to be sad all the time.
• It’s okay to have fun! There is no right or wrong feeling to have because every one is different.

Here are some web sites with activities pages for kids and teens that may be helpful to you if somebody special is ill or has died:

• http://www.dougy.org
• http://www.kidsaid.com
• http://www.touchstonecenter.org
• http://www.safecrossings.org

We are here to help children who are facing, or have experienced, the loss of a loved one. We are happy to answer any of your questions, discuss your concerns and help you determine what form of support is best for you and your children.

Call us at 1-800-355-2817.