Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-in Thursday 16th August 2018

Hello lovely trauma family

So good to be here with you! Its only a day or so ago that we were all reeling from the news that once again many of our leadership team had gone.. there was no preparation for this, so like with any sudden loss tthere was shock..felt this when I came to wirte a reply here and had no words. We had already weathered some stormy times and now again we were thrown into a sea of uncertainty and hurt. To lose part of our family, people we have grown to love and trust, and our leader too, is so scary.. and especially for trauma survivors. And that it was imposed on us, and there didn't seem to be any contingency plans was alarming This was our safe place.. it wasn't feeling so safe now.

Yet there was an amazing response coming through in the check ins. As we expressed our hurt, anger and disbelief, our appreciation for all the support we have known here, our love and caring for each other, and our determination to pull together, there was warmth and comfort. And a sense of the strong bonds that bind us together, that will sustain us through this. We 're not sure how,. and that's ok for now. The team who are here want to reassure you that we are doing our best and are working with you and for you.

I found this poem by Rachel in www.hellopoetry.com .. it reminds us that after a storm comes calm,..

Calm After theStorm.

I am tired. I am worn

For this is the calm after the storm.

Heartbeat ceases to race

Everything seems to fall into place.

Take comfort in cycles and patterns

Separate the insignificant from what matters

History repeats itself they say

The Universe works in a funny way.

So push through thoughts of growing older

Of growing colder, of forgetting to be bolder

To the back of my mind

Shelved there somewhere diffcult to find.

And think instead of stories that turn out okay

Think of the sounds of waves and rainy days.

For I am slowly breathing

Almost sleeping

Nearly dreaming

Simply being.

"Youu can't calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass."

How is your day going? How are you doing? Have you taken some time to simply be, to sit in the sun, to read a book, to watch a funny movie, to listen to your favourite music.. nows a good time for this.(i'm currently being entertained by quotes and pictures of my favourite bear!) Or pop in to say hi! You're welcome here. This is your space and a safe place. With love from rozie. x