July 2026
                                                            Summer is here. Hope you are staying cool.                                                                                    
The activities for Widowed Persons Service are very important. After our spouse died many of us probably stayed home alone or with our families for awhile.

Eventually, we got the nerve to go to a grief support session or other WPS activities. For some it can be very scary walking into a room filled with strangers. The next WPS function can be a little easier but still be difficult for some people. Eventually, we make new friends and start enjoying life again.

We should greet new WPS members and make sure they get introduced to other members. Make them feel WELCOME and part of the WPS family, encouraging them to attend other WPS functions. Our purpose when attending social events is to relax and enjoy being with old friends and making new friends. But, we ALWAYS remember WHY we gather as a group. We remember our deceased spouse and may talk about them as well, as we feel the urge to share memories. Our friends in WPS don't mind if we share a personal thought or two or three. The important thing is to feel part of the group and enjoy the moment as best we can. As we are widowed longer, some will remarry, If they met at WPS, they may continue to come to WPS activities and they are welcome.

However, PLEASE remember that WPS is for widowed people and some who have not been widowed very long may feel uncomfortable around dating or married couples when they show TOO much affection for each other. Please respect other people's feelings. They may not be as far along in their grief as you are. When we attend WPS activities, each of us is representing WPS

.Phyllis Weisheit, President