Fourth Thursday of Month (FMM) - Peer-Led Support Topic Meeting - January

Our topic this month is: "Looking for Seeds of Hope"

We recognize that many widows lose hope after the death of their partners--this is a completely normal reaction after loss.

How can we help one another learn that struggling with grief and fostering hope are not mutually exclusive?

We start this month's topic meeting defining hope (trust that things are going to get better), and how to be open to pursuing it. Our first steps might be small and short-lived, but we need to find ways to both nurture hope and restore it.

During these topic meetings--and with support and encouragement from one another--we will focus on both looking for and nurturing the Seeds of Hope.

You will learn that "Hope Springs Eternal" for widows too!

__

In preparation for these meetings Our Topic Committee volunteers suggest that you bring paper and pen to the meetings.

In addition, they suggest the following articles:

LifeHack.org, What to Do with Your Life When All Hope is Lost

Center for Loss, Nurturing Hope in Difficult Times

Toolshero.com, Snyder's Hope Theory

__

Or, you can listen to Dawn's Video on the topic, here

__

Co-Leaders:  Pat & Leslie

Pat Osman zooming in from Windsor, Colorado

About me:  I am a military mom and a former public school middle & high school teacher. Now full-time volunteer staff at the W Connection including: Online Topic Facilitator, W Chat Host, First Connect Leader, Training and Topic Development. I left the Philly area three years ago for a life with family in Colorado.

Interests: Hiking in the Rockies, snowshoeing, gardening, reading, music, theater.

Works well with: Working moms, empty nesters, people with a passion for outdoors.

Year of Loss: 2014

Leslie Goldman zooming in from South Orange, NJ

About me: I am an artist and a musician, a mom, and a good friend. I practice gratitude and enjoying all the new opportunities for growth I'm experiencing now.  

Interests: Painting, singing, writing, and performing music, entertaining, cooking.

Works well with: Working moms, moms with young children, creative and passionate women.

Year of Loss: 2012 when my children were 10 and 12 years old