LEWISTON — For families that have experienced the death of a loved one the holiday season can be especially challenging. Coping with sadness and other strong emotions, dealing with the expectations of others, pressure to be “joyful,” can all make the grief even more painful. Understanding support and sharing with others who are also grieving can make a big difference.

“Being able to gather during the holidays with our friends and facilitators from Grieving Children’s provided an opportunity to be with people who, like you, might not know how to even think of facing or ‘celebrating’ a holiday anymore without the presence of your loved one,” said Tammy Caron of Lewiston. “It brought comfort knowing that somehow you can share the heavy weight of that with folks who could really understand those feelings. The children were able to create ‘sad but beautiful’ — the way life feels now — holiday ornaments honoring their dad. These gems will continue to hang on our tree as they are symbols of how we can keep dad ‘with us’ at Christmas.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Philips Church in Auburn and on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Wilton, the Program for Grieving Children & Teens is inviting young people ages 3 to 18 and their adult family members affected by a death to join them for a special evening program to designed to help express and share feeling with others who have experienced similar losses.

Activities are planned for youngsters and special group discussions will be conducted for all ages including adults. Refreshments will be served.

Call Jim Douglas at 795-9462 or 1-800-482-7412, ext. 1462, to register or for more information.

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