by Mary O’Connor
Mention the word “loss” and what immediately springs to mind? Usually death, and the impact of losing a partner, child, family member, or close friend on your life.
However, you can experience loss for many different reasons, not just when someone passes away. The loss of a relationship, either with a partner or family member, as a result of a breakdown in communication or because communication has become hostile and you lead separate lives, is one such loss.
Other losses include the loss of a job and financial stability which can have a profound impact on your day-to-day life and sense of self. You are not just dealing with financial insecurity, you may also be coping with a loss of identity because your career may have played a key part in how you view yourself.
The death of a much loved pet is another form of loss as is dealing with a life-changing condition or terminal illness. You may feel a deep sense of grief as you mourn your former life and the future you had planned. The loss of a home or country or much loved pet can also lead to grief.
It takes time to adjust to your new landscape and you may experience many emotions associated with grieving a loss. It is important to remember that grief is deeply personal and other people may not truly understand or appreciate your loss. As the writer Mark Twain said: “Nothing that grieves us can be called little; by the external laws of proportion a child’s loss of a doll and a king’s loss of a crown are events of the same size.”
A workshop on “Coping with life situations of loss and grief”, which takes place on Saturday, aims to acknowledge that grief is not a straightforward process. The event, which takes place from 10am to 12 noon at St Pio’s room at the Sacred Heart Church, Seamus Quirke Road, is being organised by Pernet CLG, a local organisation committed to promoting education in the community. Admission is €10.
The workshop, which is being facilitated by Jacinta Murphy, a psychotherapist and a bereaved parent, is open to anyone who is experiencing loss of any kind. It will give those experiencing grief a safe, comfortable space to share their authentic experience with others who are also on this journey.
A participant from a previous workshop said: “It was lovely to gather together in a soulful way and be present, for a little while, in each other’s journey.
Anyone interested in attending the workshop should contact Imelda at (086 ) 6098887 or Noel at (089 ) 2545785 or email [email protected] stating your interest.
