Turning Grief Into A Win

Many experts say grieving is a process of moving forward, honoring the lost loved one while moving to new social settings and relationships.  The News On 6's Rick Wells reports a group of volunteers at Grace Hospice in Tulsa is working through the process.  You might call it an inspirational example of lost and found.

The Thursday Troop is a group of volunteers at Grace Hospice.

"They all got to know each other in the grief support group," said Meg Carson.

They became friends and decided they wanted to volunteer.  So, they come in on Thursday and do whatever needs done.  Meg Carson the volunteer coordinator says they're so efficient it's sometimes hard to keep them occupied.  On this Thursday, they're filling candy bags for the marketing department and doing some filing.

"If you pay attention, you might learn how to file time sheets," said Hugh Dawson.

They all had lost a loved one.  Gail Rommann's husband died, she came to the grief workshop because she needed someone to talk to.

"If no one wants to talk about it, I have friends that never mentioned it, like he never lived," said Gail Rommann.

The workshop helped all of them deal with similar losses.  They became friends.  They go out to eat and even help with each other's hobbies.

They all suffered losses.  They found each other.  And, Grace Hospice found the group.  All of them turning losing into winning.

Grace Hospice offers a summer series of workshops focusing on healing after grief and loss.  Grace can be contacted at 744-7223.