I have been attending a grief support group since last March. My husband has been gone for 12 1/2 months now. I to had cold feet in the beginning. Even after the first 3 meetings I questioned my returning. I stayed with it and I am very glad that I did. It is through a hospice group in my area. My church also has a grief share program I started to attend it also. I came to a point in the second month where it became so difficult to function I thought I wouldn't survive, but I knew I had to for our son and daughter. That is when I knew that I had to find a group. You only share as much as you are comfortable with. It truly has helped me. I still have days or weeks where the waves of grief come crashing in on me. But I feel they have helped me to be able to deal with it better now. I have found that now that it has been a year for me there really aren't very many that really want to hear about it anymore, they feel that I should be moving on/over it by now. All I know is that I will never be over loosing my husband, there will always be an empty place in my heart. But I will continue to live until my time comes. I hope this helps you. Give it a try (at least a months worth) and see what you think. I have also developed quite a library of books on being a widow and surviving. I just finished a book by Dr. Joyce Brothers on being a widow. I really got a lot from this book. To read the thoughts and feelings of a psycologist going through the same things was very encouraging for me (she lost her husband in 1989). Let me know that I wasn't going crazy. I hope you find comfort and understanding in your group. Hugs and strength to you.

Each group is different. The found that I felt more comfortable with the widows that were closer in age. We had more than our loss in common. Keep looking if this is not the one. Still I question the group support when I leave and have cryed a river, but I know too that I have to face those fears that show up during the meetings. Please accept the help the group has to offer. Healing bessings to you.

I hope if you go to the support group you get what you want out of it.
The Widows, Widowers support group is my group support. I didn' find anything outside the net I could easily get to. I don't drive. I'm getting one on one counseling from a hospice from the hospital where my hubby was treated.

I went to two grief counseling support groups. Each person had different details/circumstances but we all shared many similar feelings. It was helpful for me to be a part of those groups.

Although I still have not signed up for a support group you have signed up for Daily Strength and isn't that what this is? Should be the same thing but with instant feedback which might be nice, remember, you don't have to go back...

I want to thank everyone who gave me encouragement to attend the support group earlier today.

First, let me say Daily Strength has been my very best support -- not only after my husband's death but during the entire year of 2008 when I first learned of DS. I was helped by the Caregivers group, the friends and families of Cancer Patients and others.

But an in-person group, with a professional pyschologist, is helpful too. This was an excellent group that I tried this afternoon. There are 5 more scheduled meetings. I guess I needed to encouragement of all of you at DS to attend. Thus far, I am happy I took advantage of the opportunity.

I am happy that you had a positive experience. I have found it helpful having a professional there that can give you insight as to what to expect and how to try an work through the feelings that we experience. I think the hardest thing about it was actually talking about things in front of others in person. I have become more open now and it's not so bad. Everyone is there for the same reason they just have different experiences. I love DS too. It has also been a great help a lot of wonderful and caring people.