winter__winds - Profile (original) (raw)

on 15 December 2005 (#9037463)

Some, too fragile for winter winds The thoughtful grave encloses— Tenderly tucking them in from frost Before their feet are cold.

Never the treasures in her nest The cautious grave exposes, Building where schoolboy dare not look, And sportsman is not bold.

This covert have all the children Early aged, and often cold, Sparrow, unnoticed by the Father— Lambs for whom time had not a fold.

- Emily Dickinson

The idea of Winter Winds came about due to losses several people close to me, as well as others, sustained during the holiday season. After discussing it briefly with one of them, I felt a community for this painfully unique brand of loss was needed.

There's other communities on LJ and beyond which deal with grief and loss and death, but this one is geared especially toward those who have lost a loved one, be it a parent, a sibling, a significant other, or someone else very near and dear to the heart, during the holidays. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the collective social consciousness is turned toward family, home, and hearth, and tidings of joy. Because these holidays are so often firmly entrenched in our minds, it makes a bit harder to deal with them when they become associated with a painful loss.

Membership, of course, isn't limited to those who have lost loved ones during the holidays. Other big days of memory - anniversaries, birthdays, etc. - which are tied in with death can compound the difficulty of recovery. And sometimes, the death becomes an event all in itself.

A burden shared is a pain lessened. Knowing you're not the only one who goes through the holidays fighting with grief during a time when you're bombarded by cheer can be beneficial.

The founder and mod has never experienced this kind of loss, during holidays or otherwise, which is why the comm exists. I know I cannot provide the kind of solace which someone who's been there can, and I dearly wish to be able to help and ease things a bit. I will NOT tolerate trolling or flaming or personal attacks in this community. I will moderate membership and turn all posts FO should it become necessary. I will rabidly defend the members from all those who think it's funny to mock grief. This will be a safe place - it IS a safe place.

burial, coping, cousins, death, family, grandparents, grief, heartbreak, holidays, loneliness, loss, loved ones, pain, parents, siblings, significant others, tears