Dearborn Starting Again - Meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month

Dearborn Starting Again- 2nd and 4th Thursdays 7-8:30

Starting Again is a peer-led support group for widows and widowers. Whether you are in Early Grief, navigating life Transitions, or ready to Move Forward, we provide a safe space for you to talk about your grief and connect with others who have experienced a similar loss and can help. No pre-registration required – just show up!

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Early Grief - This support group is for people who are in the early stages of their grief journey. In this group you are given an opportunity to “tell your story”, talk about your loved one and deal with early grief issues. People may express the overwhelming feelings that accompany loss: hopelessness, anger, guilt feelings and perhaps wondering “why me?”. You should remain in the group for as long as you need to discuss grief issues that are focused on your loved one and his / her absence.

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Transitions -

This support group is for people who have dealt with the overwhelming feelings that accompany loss and have learned how to deal with the pain. They are at a place of accepting that their life has drastically changed, but it is not over. The focus in this group is on the griever, not their spouse. You discuss topics that help you in transforming from “We” to “Me”. One of the goals of this group is to learn how to adjust to this new way of life and let go of the past.

Are You Ready for the “Transitions” Group?

• Has it been at least 6 months since the death of your loved one?

• Are you ready to stop repeatedly telling your “grief story”?

• When you tell people about the death of your loved one, can you do it without tears?

• Do you feel that you’ve dealt with the emotions of grief, knowing that the anger, etc. will still emerge periodically, but you’ll use the tools you’ve learned to work through them?

• Have you begun to sort through your loved one’s belongings and donated or sold them?

• Have you accepted that your life is on a different course and you need to change direction?

• Have you been able to let go of the dreams and future plans that you had before?

• Are you ready to find out who you are without your loved one by your side?

• Can you begin to see that you have a future ahead – one which will be different but OK?

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Moving Forward - This support group is for people who have accepted that their life has drastically changed, and they are ready to determine where they fit in the world. The focus in this group is on finding new beginnings, exploring new opportunities, setting goals, discovering how to meet new people and establishing social connections which may include discussing dating and finding a new partner.

Are you ready for the “Moving Forward” Group?

Many people think they are ready for this group before they really are. The tendency is to rush to get here, since this is the “fun” group, the group where dating is sometimes discussed. Many people want to “move forward” before they are ready. Most people need to go through all of the “firsts” (first birthday, first anniversary, and first year anniversary of the death) before beginning to move forward.

• Has it been at least one year since your loved one’s death?

• Many people feel like “half” a person when their spouse dies. Do you feel like a “whole” person?

• Are you happy with the person you are or have become since the death of your loved one?

• Are you ready to start setting some new life goals?

If you are considering getting involved in a new relationship:

• Have you removed your wedding ring?

• Have you put your deceased spouse on a “pedestal” or are your thoughts of him / her realistic?

• When you think about a possible new relationship, are you open to thinking about someone who may be different from your deceased spouse?