Children’s
Grief Awareness Day (or Blue Day) is observed the third Thursday of November
(which is also the Thursday before Thanksgiving) every year. This year it will
be on November 20th. Children’s Grief Awareness Day is a day focused on
recognizing and supporting the children all around us who have experienced the
death of a loved one. This day provides an opportunity to
raise awareness
of the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a child.
It also provides the opportunity
to make sure that these children receive the support they need and that they feel
and see that hope and healing can be achieved.
“Before they graduate from high school, one child
out of every 20 children will have a parent die—and that number doesn't include
those who experience the death of a brother or sister, a close grandparent, an
aunt or uncle, or friend.” (www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org) Bereaved children are often referred to as the
"forgotten mourners.”
Children’s Grief Awareness allows us to acknowledge
and advocate that ANY child that is old enough to love is old enough to mourn.
We can all work together to be advocates and teach other adults how children
are natural mourners, but that they still need the love and support of caring
adults. This day allows us to highlight what some of the special needs of
grieving children are and help others create and find places where children
experiencing grief are safe to openly and authentically mourn. If children can
mourn well and learn to cope with their loss, they’ll go on to live and love
well.
There are a couple of ways you can get involved
this Thursday and participate in this special day including wearing blue
and letting others know what it represents. On Thursday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Rays
of Hope will be hosting an art exhibit called “Grief through the Eyes of a
Child.” I encourage you to attend the art exhibit and learn more about
supporting children who have experienced loss and change. There will be food available
if you go during your lunch hour, and I personally will be there all day. Be
sure to come say hello!
It
has been an honor to become a part of the Rays of Hope family. Myself and the fabulous HopeWorks Committee ask that you help
us in spreading the word about National Blue Day!
Related
links:
Bethany
Campbell, a very special Rays of Hope participant and volunteer, shares her
story. http://childrengrieve.org/grief-unexpected-journey
A
short video of hope for Children’s grief awareness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_jHcZsi02A
-Ellen Wheeler, Active
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