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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2021 57 Bereavement Group Sometimes those of us in the Bereavement Group wonder what we must sound like to people gathering or walking by us in the RCN Main Room. Although there is serious, sometimes heart-wrenching discussion taking place some of the time, quite often there are gales of laughter and sounds of merriment emanating from inside our room. So what's going on? Healing. That's what's going on. I never cease to be amazed and touched by what happens when a group of people, intent upon processing emotional pain, come together. The kindness and generosity each person demonstrates to the others is inspiring. Some share similar stories: they have lost a spouse after a long and agonizing illness or a shocking accident, heart attack or stroke. Others are grieving the loss of a parent or sibling. And even more unexpectedly, some have lost a child. Others are trying to heal the wounds from a divorce or an estrangement. They all come together to try to stop hurting so much. And in the process of grappling with their own pain, they find themselves grappling with each others' pain. It is in this mutual sharing that the healing begins. There is a lot of talking and listening in that room. Stories are shared, some funny, others sad or painful. Different opinions emerge. Off we go down one path, only to find someone's memory jogged which leads us down another path. Sometimes we sound like a book group. Sometimes we sound like a philosophy class. Sometimes it's a travelogue, others a cooking class. This is a bereavement group? Most emphatically yes! Because we are the survivors. As survivors, we must learn how to live a new way, one that does not include that person who's not in our lives any more. Our roles have changed. Our families have changed. And we must change. So all of our talking and sharing helps us decide how we wish to proceed in this life. Just as there are diverse people comprising our group, so are their diverse opinions. And sometimes hilarity ensues. So we laugh, sometimes loudly, then clap our hands over our mouths, shush each other, and marvel at how we can find such fun in a milieu that is dedicated to grieving. But we do, over and over again. If you have suffered a loss and are struggling, come join us. We will welcome you. You can come to one of our meetings which are held on Mondays from 1 to 3 pm in the RCN Activities Room 3, or you can phone (951) 922-0934 or email lauriemlarson425@gmail.com. All contact is confidential. ~ Laurie Larson Zeldin and Becky Kotzin-Gustafson Jewish Cultural Club An Evening With The Filmmaker: The Yankles Join us for the screening of the award-winning film, The Yankles. The film is a comedy about a Yeshiva (school for Rabbis) that fields a College World Series baseball team. The film stars Don Most, from the Happy Days series. The writer and producer, Zev Brooks, will be joining us to talk about the making of the film. The film won numerous awards at film festivals around the world. Afterward, dessert will be served at The Lodge poolside, where we will have a Sukkah to celebrate Sukkot, the Jewish Festival of the Harvest. The event starts at 3 pm. As always, you don't have to be Jewish to be a part of the JCC events. Everyone is welcome. There is a donation of $3, which goes towards the movie and dessert. Please RSVP to Tammy Goldstein at yesimtammyg@ gmail.com. ~ Perry Goldstein, perry.goldstein@gmail.com

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