So it begins…
Tonight starts my seven weeks of co-facilitating support groups for Hospice. This particular “event” is for families who are bereaving a loved one. For seven weeks, families (with children) who have lost someone close to them come to this thing at a…wait for it…wait for it….church. Yes, I’m going into a church. Eeep!
There are like 10-15 families or something. We all eat dinner together and then the adults separate to a grief support group and the kids all seperate into age-specific groups. I am co-facilitating the adult group. I wanted to hang out with the little ones, but I think I’ll do good getting some experience with adults first.
I’m not exactly sure what my responsibilities will be as co-facilitator yet but I’m meeting with the facilitator She is the Bereavement Coordinator for Hospice Austin…she’s awesome. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from her.
I do know that these groups generally run themselves and I’m not there to be a counselor. Support groups are for the group members to well…support each other. I’ve observed one so far and they really are amazing to one another. I’ll be hearing a lot about how their children are dealing with the loss. This is very interesting to me. Kids are brilliant little fuckers.
I asked for volunteers to serve dinner and take care of the babies. Kids under 6 years old don’t get support groups…they get babysitted! Casey Bell and Carrin volunteered. How awesome! I look forward to seeing the blondes weekly.
Wish me luck!
2 years ago