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GROWW E-Mail Newsletter |
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14 October 2003 |
Circulation:
669 |
Volume
1, Number 12 |
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Editor ·
Pat Sirni Associate Editor ·
Margot Hill Newsletter Staff ·
Angela Dyer ·
Lori Petersen GROWW Officers ·
Anne D’Ambrosio, Executive
Director GROWW Staff ·
·
Pat Sirni, Grief Recovery Room Manager ·
Rachel Frank, Message Board Manager ·
Phil D’Ambrosio, Director
of Security |
Message from the Executive Director - Anne D’Ambrosio Well, October is
here. Four years ago this month Judy was diagnosed with cancer, Judy
and Jim were supposed to come to my wedding, Judy wanted Jim to come alone
but he wouldn’t leave her. One year ago on October 30th we
lost JimK4 to cancer also. Please keep his family in your thoughts and
prayers as they prepare for that first dreaded Birthday to Heaven. I
love you both and miss you both (((((((((( Judy & Jim ))))))))) Now on to GROWW
Fundraising, please read the following letter I received. I am so
excited about this! Also, remember to
register at Igive.com and make some purchases through there, it doesn’t cost
a penny and GROWW gets a percentage of the sales if we are listed as your
donation site. Dear GROWW:
As for the fundraiser, the product fundraiser is the best So, all you have to do is share the flyer, collect money, and
then bag the products up and distribute them!! It's very simple. Thank you, Teri Folks Ind. Director for The Pampered Chef® Well, isn’t that
pretty exciting! Another way to help GROWW that doesn’t cost a lot of
money. We will list the results when they are in. Thank you all
for your support. Until next month,
Good Grief AnneGD Meet Your Host – GRHost Taryn Interview
by Pat Sirni
A host at
GROWW for nearly two years, Taryn lives in Currently
on disability, Taryn was employed at the Taryn's husband John passed away in 1992 as a result of a work
related accident. Her daughter Kristin, her only biological child, died
at age 14, on Taryn hosts in several GROWW rooms, including Grief Recovery,
Tender Angels and Guiding for Youth. She also occasionally hosts in
GROWW for Widowed. Taryn has been coming to GROWW for two and a half years after
hearing about GROWW from a friend that she met in a support group. When asked
what advice she would give to those just starting to walk the path of grief, Taryn responded "talking and listening
both help. Don't hide from your grief, you have to deal with it or it
will return and bite you later. Be prepared for the rollercoaster
ride. Even though it doesn't seem possible, time really does
help". GROWW is
blessed to have many wonderful hosts and Taryn is a
valued member of our host family. She is compassionate and caring and
has been a wonderful support to many of our members. Message from the Director of Branches - News
article October 2003 How
many of you are dreading the longer evenings? We get so use to being
able to be outside until Yup....you
can always find someone to talk with or share a message with or send an email
to your loved one. Remember that and hold on to that knowledge as you
are moving through the grief process. Until next month continue to be
good to YOU. Guest
Column – From SOSMaryRose Grief is one
of the strangest things I have ever encountered in my life. We expect to hurt after the death of
someone we love – and we expect that pain to last awhile, but sometimes what
we don’t expect is the physical aspects that grief plays upon our bodies or
how the pain of loss can take you over after you have been on the road of
healing for some time. I wonder if we
ever get over the pain of loss, for I still experience bad days and
times. One thing I do know is that
when we fall down into the pit of despair our family and friends at GROWW are
there to help us through till we can see the sun shining again and really be
happy that it is shining. Recently I
faced my third anniversary since my husband, September 3
arrived and I overslept and was late for work. I spoke with my boss and made
arrangements to take the rest of the week off. I spent the rest of the week resting and
grieving, grieving and resting. Once I
allowed myself to be home and not at work, my grief began to come out in
emotions. I spent a lot of time crying, some time singing and a lot of time
emailing friends from GROWW who kept emailing me to send me
encouragement. Since I tried not to
beat myself up at falling so far down at this anniversary. So many do not
have any trouble getting through the third year, but I did. Leave it to me to be different! But, now that I am past the intense pain I
am glad of the experience that I went through this anniversary time. I feel stronger somehow and wiser too. It’s hard to remember when we face these
times of grief, to be gentle with ourselves as we once were when grief was
new. But it is important to do so. Yes, grief is
a very unpredictable thing. It’s can take you for one wild roller coaster ride. I have
never liked roller coaster rides, but I am thankful for my friends and family
at GROWW who allow me to hold onto them during the scary parts. It’s the only
way I make it through. As we travel
on this road of grief, let us all strive towards healing. As we work towards that, we will have down
times-times that we must spend in that dark abyss, but remember that we are
never truly alone because there is always someone at GROWW praying and caring
for us all. Phil’s Corner - Phil D’Ambrosio I recently received an e mail from a friend claiming
to be a George Carlin post 9-11 tribute to his late wife called “A Paradox of
our Time”. After doing some research I found that it was written by Dr. Bob Moorehead, a former pastor of Overlake Christian Church
in The paradox of our time in history is
that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but
narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy
less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less
time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment,
more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much,
spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay
up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray
too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We
talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living,
but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all
the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a
new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger
things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted
the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but
learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not
to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more
copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and
slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow
relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier
houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in
the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can
bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this
insight, or to just hit delete. Remember; spend some time with your
loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a
kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person
soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the
one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your
heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love
you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A
kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will
not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to
share the precious thoughts in your mind. Life is not measured by the number of
breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. HOW TO STAY YOUNG 1.
Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the
doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her. 2. Keep
only cheerful friends.. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep
learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never
let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the
devil's name is Alzheimer's. 4.
Enjoy the simple things. 5.
Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. 6. The
tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person
who is with us for our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are
alive. 7.
Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes,
music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your
refuge. 8.
Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve
it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9.
Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a
foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 10.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND
ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but
by the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this to at least
8 people.... who cares? |
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GROWW, INC.© Judy Divers 501(c)(3) Non-Profit EIN: 59-3445877 |
Recipes From Members Better than sex cake 1 package
chocolate cake mix ( I use devil's food) 4 eggs 1/4 C. water 1/2 vegetable
oil 1 tsp. vanilla 1 small
package instant chocolate pudding mix ( If you are a true chocoholic use
devil's food) 8 oz. sour cream 1 3/4 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips 3/4 C.
chopped pecans Remove 2T. dry cake mix and coat
chocolate chips and pecans with it. Set aside. Combine cake mix, eggs, oil, water,
vanilla, pudding mix, & sour cream. Mix well. Fold in the chocolate
chip/pecan mixture. Grease & flour
a 10" tube or bundt pan. Spread batter in and
bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Cool in pan 20 min. and remove. Cool
entirely preferably on a wire rack. Frosting: 1 stick margarine 1/4 C.
evaporated milk 1 C. brown
sugar Sifted
powdered sugar Melt margarine
in a medium saucepan. Add brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly till
bubbly. Add evaporated milk & cook continuing to stir until smooth. Remove
pan from heat and beat in powdered sugar until spreading consistency. Leave a
little runny as it will get thicker as it cools. Spoon glaze over top of
cooled cake and let it run down the sides..Enjoy! Love and hugs,
JudyM If you would
like to submit a recipe for publication in this newsletter, please send your
submission to newsletter@groww.org To unsubscribe to this email click reply with UNSUBSCRIBE
in the Subject Line. For questions
about this Newsletter or to submit an article, email newsletter@groww.org
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