Emily Tanner

My Experience

First of all, it was a great relief to learn about all of the myths, STERBS, and expectations which had been put upon me. I think I instinctively knew that much of this, which I felt had been foisted upon me since becoming a widow nearly four years ago, was just not right, yet I felt inadequate or unsure of how to express this to others, especially in my place of employment, a church. I know they care about me, both as a congregant and a staff member, but their attempts at helping me be "cured" of my grief, were anything but helpful! I had only completed two sessions of the Grief Recovery Method when I was called into a meeting with my supervisors, and was confronted about some issues which had arisen during the Christmas season, a difficult time for many grievers, including me! Thankfully, even after such a short time in the program, I was able to articulate enough about what I had already learned to convince them that THIS program would be a much better fit for me than what they had planned for me to do. I had to participate in a little of their original plan, and I hated it! In a follow-up meeting with our executive pastor just one week ago, he expressed that he has definitely noticed positive changes in me, including how I relate to others. Interestingly, just this morning, a member of my Sunday School class expressed how she has seen positive changes in me as well. I know how I've grown and changed over the course of these last eight weeks, yet it is gratifying to know that others have seen the changes in me as well. So thank you, Grief Recovery Method and Emily, for making this program an integral part of my road to recovery!