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November 18, 2018
Friends of griefHaven

2018 – Heart to Heart Gala

Welcome to Our 2018 Heart to Heart Gala Page Enjoy Photos, Tributes and Video Below Susan Whitmore, Founder Friends of griefHaven Over 265 people joined us for an evening of laughter, meaning and fundraising   Thanks to everyone for helping us raise $117,801! Meet our award recipients: Singing Celebrities Tributes at the Gala Photos at the Gala This Is griefHaven
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May 24, 2020
Bird And Green

Bird And Green Helps Grief

The researchers found that the neighborhoods most attractive to birds were those in which many yards had fruit or berry-bearing trees and shrubs; a mix of evergreen and other types of trees; and, to a lesser extent, other environmental features. They found that the presence of outdoor animals, especially cats, kept birds away. The research, Minor said, grew from wondering how many birds from the forest preserves flew into nearby neighborhoods. Many do so, they found. "Birds are really living out in the neighborhood," Minor said.
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August 4, 2020
Understanding grief featured

Understanding Grief is Another Expression of Love

Ken sat on the couch across from me, smiled and exclaimed, “I stopped it! The uncontrollable crying. I stopped it!” Just the week prior I had been at a loss as the 59-year-old self-avowed “momma’s boy” cried with an overpowering despair. He had been completely inconsolable over the death of his 82-year-old mother. As a fledgling bereavement counselor, I had walked away from his initial session wondering if I could ever be able to help Ken. His inability to see any reason for joy and hope had silenced me for almost the entire hour. For all of Ken’s life prior to his mother’s death, each had been all the other had. A successful businessman, Ken had never married and neither had his mother.
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July 16, 2020
emotions

Why Are Memories Attached to Emotions So Strong?

Memories linked with strong emotions often become seared in the brain. Most people can remember where they were on 9/11, or what the weather was like on the day their first child was born. Memories about world events on Sept 10, or lunch last Tuesday, have long been erased. Why are memories attached to emotions so strong? "It makes sense we don't remember everything," says René Hen, PhD, professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. "We have limited brain power. We only need to remember what's important for our future wellbeing."
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May 24, 2020
Telling the Story

Does Telling the Story Of What Happened Instead of Pushing It Away Help? –finding meaning

I have read and heard you speak about the need to revisit and retell the story of the tragic death of a loved one in order to find meaning in the event. What stands out in your comments is obvious, but should be underlined, in my view: the profound Truth about the need to address the traumatic event of a loved one’s dying, that is, the “ugly and difficult” narrative itself, before the full back story of the lost one, in context, can be freed. I just had to comment on this. It seems so apparent.
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February 22, 2014
marcsusankimwendell

2014 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon

Welcome to Our 2014 Live Your Best Life Luncheon The 2014 Annual Friends of griefHaven Live Your Best Life Fundraising Luncheon on October 7 rocked the Luxe Hotel ballroom. Attended by 191 family, friends, supporters, and many of those helped by griefHaven over the years, a warm welcome was extended to all. Performer Ari Kaplan serenaded the audience during the silent auction, which helped griefHaven net $20,871.56, guaranteeing the event’s success. Marc Klaas, Susan Whitmore, Kim Goldman and Wendell Whitmore An array of speakers, from Los Angeles’ former Mayor Richard Riordan to keynote presenter Kim Goldman, sister of Ron Goldman and victim’s right activist, shared testimonials, touching stories, and the inspiration and grief tools given to them by griefHaven that enabled them to move forward in their lives after experiencing tragedy and loss. As usual, the incredible women who make up the Friends of griefHaven Council worked and planned for […]
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June 17, 2020
Mother Whose Son Died

QA Bet Mother Who Lost 21 Year Old Son Ten Years Ago And SEW

Am I going crazy? To address your question “Am I going crazy?” the answer is no, you are not, although I understand how you might feel as if you are sometimes. We have all felt that. You are grieving normally and naturally, given your circumstances and lack of physical grief support, such as private counseling by a true grief expert or regularly attending a grief group with other parents who get it. I'm still having a hard time understanding why. After ten years, I wonder if the question you ask of “Why?” is still a true/real question or one that you find yourself, as when you are in disbelief that he is actually gone from this world, asking as a more generalized question, still trying to understand how such a thing could have happened so quickly
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