Image Up Advertising & Design

FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2024 49 Life After Loss Over the last three months of the Breeze, we have sought to develop an understanding of the idea of transition process, especially as it relates to human loss. First, we saw that change is different from transition. While change can be thought of as the "situational happening of the event," conversely, transition can be thought of as our "inner adaptation to and internal processing of " what has already happened. Second, we came to understand that the transitions in our lives can be thought of as encompassing three distinct phases … (1) an ending, (2) a neutral zone, and (3) a new beginning (Bridges, 2019, p. 4).* Together, the phases represent the totality of an individual's particular grief journey. But, to conclude, I want to weave our developed understanding thus far of the grief process into a more unified whole. To begin, we know that grief events happen. We also know they come far more frequently in older adulthood. Whatever the event - a financial loss, a health crisis, or the death of a loved one - following the initial shock, we inevitably know we are changed. While our outer reality has suddenly transformed, our inner self remains. In the aftermath, we still operate by our former outlook, our previous self-image, and our prior value system … which together define our internal self. And it's that "inner processing" of the grief that requires adaptation and a reorientation — all of which take time … is different for every person … and may not be fully understood by others. In keeping with these realities, it behooves us as senior citizens to be more vigilant and aware of what grief really involves for all those who mourn. Should you desire a deeper understanding of what it means to live a more meaningful "life after loss," we invite you to join us. The Life After Loss Group is about "people helping people" who have encountered any form of grief/loss in their life. Unless otherwise notified, we meet the first and third Mondays of each month from 1 to 3 pm in RCN Room #3. All information is kept confidential. If you have experienced a form of grief/loss and would like to join the group, please text/call Byron Thomsen beforehand at (909) 936- 7097 OR email him at byron.thomsen@yahoo.com * Bridges, W. (2019). Transitions: Making sense of life's changes. New York, NY: Hachette Books. ~ Byron omsen At first, I thought the ladies of "Believe…" Women's Bible Study would balk at studying the book of Joshua in the Old Testament because it explains God's "holy war" against the Canaanite nations, for the purpose of giving His chosen people the land He promised to them. However, in studying this amazing book, it has been so inspiring to see God working through His people and their leader Joshua. The first week of August, one of our members brought a ram's horn to show the class, and even demonstrated its sound, as well as a miniature Ark of the Covenant and its contents. The trumpet was integral to the conquest of Jericho; the battle plan was so unusual it had the people of Jericho confused and unprepared. The warriors followed God's instructions to the letter, and took the land which He had already given them. This book is filled with God's wonders as well as His great love of His people. We are so blessed to be able to study the conquest of Canaan together, and to understand this amazing history. In September we will begin the short study of Jude in the New Testament, and then continue on to the study of Jeremiah in the Old Testament, which will take us to the new year. In the new year, 2025, we will begin our 12th year together. It has been quite an amazing journey, and we have been blessed for it all. If any of you Four Seasons residents want to join this amazing group of Godly women, come by the game room at The Lodge any Friday from 10:30 to 11:45 am and study with us. You'll be so glad you did! ~ Eileen Gilbert-Antoine, (951) 922-6829 or egcellent@msn.com "Believe …" Women's Bible Study

• Cover