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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2024 49 Life After Loss As 2024 draws to a close and we turn the page on another year, our personal thoughts often turn to ref lection/evaluation — "of what was," and "what is to come." But with the arrival of the month of December and the Channukah/Christmas season, comes the traditions filled with family, food, friends … and yes, the memories. It's overwhelming to think about attending parties or other social events without your loved one. It's painful coming home alone. We miss the feeling of closeness that marriage and companionship brings. Some things that may help during December: • Proceed through the month at a comfortable pace. Be intentional and have a plan about what you choose to do or not do. • Choose lower-stress, informal outings you may enjoy such as going out for lunch, having a walk with family/friends, bringing over some dessert or attending a movie. • Invite friends for a potluck dinner or participate in an activity at Four Seasons or at a local senior center in the area. • Consider helping others, whether they're bereaved or divorced. Often the hurting person will not ask for help. Doing the little things — getting the person's mail or running to the store can make a world of difference. • Volunteer at a local agency that needs help/support. • Be prepared for the unintended/unwelcome but perhaps well- intentioned comments of others, such as, "Are you going to start dating?; You should be over it by now; Time heals; He/she is in a better place." • Many people find that pets can provide comforting companionship. The important thing is to develop a plan that works for YOU. Enjoying the festivities in a new way and manner will take time. But it is well worth the process. Happy Channukah and Merry Christmas! The Life After Loss Group is about "people helping people" who have encountered any form of grief/loss in their life. Should you desire a deeper understanding of what it means to live a more meaningful "life after loss" we invite you to join us. 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. ~ Byron omsen As we wind down this year's study, we have actually jumped around the Bible quite a bit. The first of the year we studied Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther, which encompassed the rebuilding of the temple and the wall around Jerusalem. Then we switched to the New Testament and the study of James, the brother of Jesus. From there we jumped (almost literally) back to the Old Testament and the study of Joshua, and the period of time where he defeated the residents of the Promised Land so it could be divided among the 12 tribes of Israel. Then in the blink of an eye, we studied the Epistle of Jude. The remainder of 2024 we focused on the Book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament. One thing in this book that is most evident to me is how God must have anguished over being the Father of the Hebrew people who were committing so many blatant sins and refused to turn back to Him. So, it obviously means we can never say that God does not understand our plight in raising children of our own and their wayward experimenting. In the Book of Jeremiah, particularly, the reader can honestly hear God's own heart and anguish at His disappointment and frustration with His people. It also verifies that every choice yields a consequence and human nature balks at warranted consequences. It has been so touching and inspiring to actually read God's own heart. On Dec. 13 we will hold our traditional Christmas party, complete with a gift exchange, games, and something very special no member of "Believe…" will want to miss! In fact, if any of you beautiful Four Seasons ladies want to join an incredible group of Godly women to study His amazing Word, we meet every Friday at 10:30 am in the Game Room. C'mon over and join us! ~ Eileen Gilbert-Antoine, (951) 922-6829 or egcellent@msn.com "Believe …" Women's Bible Study

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