Research suggests that the grief of a child who has suffered a loss is more complex than that of an adult. Children not only experience grief at the time of their loved one’s death, but rather they relive the grief cycle repeatedly through each developmental phase of their childhood and adolescence. The grief feels different at each stage, and it can feel very isolating.
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by Ashley Eppolito
Fall has always been an especially notable season of transition, especially in New England. Away go the swim shorts, and out come the warm sweaters.
This fall, more than ever before, it seems fair to say that we are all in need of some extra cozy, comfort measures.
As the children and teens in your life prepare to transition,
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What to Say
Searching for words of comfort to offer a grieving person is often harder than one would expect. If you ask anyone who has grieved before, odds are they will probably tell you that the default condolences are actually some of the most robotic sounding and least comforting words to hear during times of pain and struggle. Why do we say “I’m sorry” to a person who is experiencing loss?
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Dear Third Grade Me,
You won’t have the words to describe which phrase bothers you most,
“It’s life, grandparents pass away,”
“She’s in a better place now”
“I’m sorry”
They all sound like words off a script; a playwright that does not fit in your little life.
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by Ashley Eppolito and Madison Wallace
Honesty
Talking about death: It’s not something that anyone prepares you for… ever.
Truthfully, I think all adults hope they won’t ever have to have this conversation with a child or teen, even if they don’t consciously realize it.
It’s kind of funny isn’t it?
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We want to take a moment to introduce you to Milena..
For those of you that have visited our home office, Milena is the lead artist behind the beautiful loom that hangs in the center. Her loom and it’s essence have become a living, breathing staple of the Friends of Aine experience. We asked her to share her journey towards the creation of this loom with us,
Read Moreem • pa • thy
/ˈempəTHē/
noun
1. the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
With political campaigns in full swing, we sure are hearing a lot about this word these days. As I watch the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, I’ve seen both parties vying to connect with voters by casting themselves as the entity most able to understand the feelings of millions of Americans whose lives have been horribly interrupted,
Read Moreby Ashley Eppolito, Summer Intern
When you think of your special person, do you perhaps remember them in a signature pattern or favorite sweater? I know I do. My grandmother lived in small flowered prints. And my friend Zachary lived in football jerseys. Often when I see something that reminds me of their personal style,
Imagine your Dad died and how difficult that might be; the sadness, the loneliness, the worry, the fear. As adults, it’s not a path we necessarily know how to navigate. Now imagine being a child and your Dad died. Life is upside down, scary and uncertain. That’s who we support at Friends of Aine; the children whose special person has died.
Hi Everyone!
Just staying in touch to let you know what Friends of Aine is up to during this time. Our staff is currently working remotely with most of our emphasis on supporting our Good Grief families.
We currently support 68 children and their families and making sure we are there for them is our top priority.
Read Moreby Joe Murray, Board Chair
100 years ago today on December 2 1919, my father John William Murray, was born in Syracuse, New York. The neighborhood in which he grew up was known as “Skunk City” due to the unusually large number of skunks that would roam the streets at night. A devout Catholic, Bill Murray attended Most Holy Rosary School and would later graduate from the College of the Holy Cross in 1941.
Our daughter Aine was born in November of 2001. She was a little baby, weighing in at 4lbs., 8oz. but she was strong. And beautiful. Her size and her stunning perfect face earned her the nickname “china doll” by the nurses on staff. And she remained strong and beautiful.
Aine filled our lives with sheer joy and happiness.
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Aine died on August 10, 2010. She was 8 years old. Her death was caused by a disease called Pulmonary Veno Occlusive Disease (PVOD). Although this disease is uncommon, it is imperative that people know about it as it is a cause of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). PVOD presents medically as PH. It is thought that PVOD might be the culprit behind some cases of Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension.