What’s Next?
We had a beautiful Women’s Empowerment Circle this week which was the last one of this series and the year. It was filled with tenderness, honesty, and deep connection. As we sat together, it became clear how many raregivers carry grief that is both profound and uniquely isolating, especially for those whose Rare child has died. The holidays can intensify this experience, stirring memories, longing, and moments of quiet sorrow. If this is you, please know you are not alone, and there is no “right” way to grieve.
After the death of a Rare child, self-care can feel complicated or even undeserved. Alongside the heartbreak, you may also notice a sense of relief from constant vigilance, medical crises, and the unrelenting responsibility of full-time care. These feelings can bring guilt or confusion, yet they are a natural part of grief. Relief does not diminish your love. Meeting these emotions with compassion, rather than judgment gives rise to healing. Simple practices like resting when you need to, nourishing your body, setting boundaries, and creating small rituals to honor your child can create stability during this tender and most uncertain time.
Many raregivers also face a disorienting question after loss: Who am I now, and what comes next? When full-time caregiving ends, there can be both emptiness and unexpected space. Envisioning your future does not mean leaving your child behind; it means allowing life to reorganize around the love that remains. You might begin by gently exploring what brings meaning to your life now, perhaps it is advocacy, creativity, community, rest, or rediscovering parts of yourself that were long set aside. There is no timeline and no pressure to know the answers. Trust the process.
As we move through this season together, a few reminders: we will not be meeting on Tuesday, December 30th, and we look forward to being with you for the first in a new series of meetings on Tuesday, January 6th at 10 a.m. PT. We at Raregivers wish you the happiest of holiday seasons—one that allows room for grief, relief, love, and whatever else is true for you. May you be held with tenderness and reminded that your life, even now, deserves care, meaning, and gentleness.
You may not realize how much you need the Raregivers community until you find it.
Here is the Zoom Link for your convenience: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84782918881
Wishing you well and sending blessings…
𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪
