Widows & Widowers Support Group

This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.

3,758 Members
19,465 Posts
0 Online
Death & Dying
/ Widows & Widowers Support Group

Retreat for Widowers

lrs55
lrs55
I recently became aware of a retreat for widow/ers and divorced people called "The Beginning Experience". There is going to be a retreat next month in a town about 70 miles from here. I plan on going and am very curious as to how they are going to blend the widowed--divorce experiences. It would seem to me that some of the issues are going to be quite different. I am very excited to go, though, and maybe have some time with others face to face who have gone through this.

Have any of you heard about it or gone on a retreat?
Community LeaderShrn
Shrn
The only retreat I've been to are 'Christian Women Retreat' but they are enjoyable. I think if you keep an open mind you will find yourself enjoying it. Just remember we are have our own weight to bear. Losing our spouse to death is very different than having him/ her reject us. Both are suffering and in pain. Being compassionate to each other is the key. And I wish you well. Please let us know how you make out. Sharon
npc4204
npc4204
Please let us know your experience.
I looked at their website, and they'll be coming to my area the end of October.
If you have a positive feedback I'll consider attending.
lrs55
lrs55
Unfortunately, npc4204, my retreat isn't until the 24th of October so I don't know if I will be of much help to you! I will certainly share my experience here, though.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I attended this group and it was an amazing experience. I couldn't imagine what I would have in common with those who got divorced; my husband didn't choose to die....we didn't willing end our marriage. Was I in for a surprise. The grief is so similar, I learned from them and they learned from me. The group addressed living alone, how to deal with being alone. Mistakes we can fall into when we feel dispair. It was a a great healing opportunity.
MP2B
MP2B
I'm going to try one in October in Cincinnati. We'll see how it goes.
gerald222
gerald222
I dont want to discourage you but for me it was not a good expereince. We devided into small groups and I was in one with 9 other divorced people. They talked about child support, their ex's etc and even though we both had losses their loss was still walking this earth. It was actually quite painful for me. Since then I have been to grief support groups that were wonderful. That was my expereince.
Gerry
sassiesoftail
sassiesoftail
As Gerry stated I think it would be very painfull to hear people talk about their divorce. Their former spouses are still walking about and can still interact with their children and Grandchildren.

I feel that the majority of my grieving has shifted to feeling sorrow for my Sons and Grandchildren not having my Tim in their life and all the things he is missing.

Hugs, Sandi
lrs55
lrs55
I am sorry that your experience was not a good one, Gerald. I wonder if it varies with the people who are running it? One would think that they would make sure to have a mix of the two groups so that there were both widowed and divorced in a group to discuss their own issues. Or, maybe even better, separate everyone so that the widowed can discuss their issues and the divorced can discuss theirs. They would seem to have a lot of different needs to me. I will be sure to let everyone know how mine works out next month.
lrs55
lrs55
Sandi, I agree, my sadness is often for all that the family is missing by my husband's absence. Sometimes that is one of the motivating reasons for me to want to meet someone else--a grandpa for the kids!