SOUL: Surviving Overdose & Understanding Loss

01/28/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSghFAwkTNo/?igsh=Z29mZHR2ZDR5ZGZ0

01/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/18Lcbya1eJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

There’s so much left behind when someone you love dies.

And we always find ourselves asking the same question:

“What do I do with all of this?”

The clothes. The jewelry. The little things that still smell like them.

You may find comfort in opening the closet and seeing all the things that remind you of them, or maybe you can't bring yourself to open the closet at all.

After my loss, I just put everything into boxes and put them aside. I wasn’t ready to sort through anything or throw anything away.

In time, I slowly went through all the stuff and only kept a few items that brought me comfort.

One of the things I held onto was a pair of shoes. I kept them because in my grief-stricken mind I was thinking if someone comes back they'll probably need shoes.

Silly...I know. But at the time that’s what brought me comfort.

You may have heard the saying, “You never see a hearse pulling a moving van.”

This means that no matter how important material things may seem to us in life, they’ll mean nothing to us in death. We can’t take any 'stuff' with us. The only thing we take is all the love we've accumulated during our life here on Earth.

Many people will tell you what you should and shouldn't do with your loved one's belongings, but the decision is ultimately up to you.

Here’s the thing…you don’t have to decide today. Or this year. Or ever, if you’re not ready.

My only rule is this:

If it brings you comfort…keep it.
If it doesn’t…you’re allowed to let it go.

Just remember that whatever you chose to do, (or not do) is totally up to you.

And follow your heart…because it knows the way.

Gary Sturgis - Surviving Grief

12/31/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR9j1VMjJEr/?igsh=ZTIzMWdrY2tuMzBt

12/28/2025

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRN8oiBgFvv/?igsh=MWlyOTdqcHN3cWpycw==

12/27/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16oVanqb3r/?mibextid=wwXIfr

12/24/2025

MaryAnn, Debbie and Jeanarae did an amazing job delivering gift bags and hugs to the residents of Recovery House. Thank you so much for all that you do! 💗

A local peer support group made up of people who have lost loved ones to overdoses visited a recovery house Tuesday to share holiday gifts and encouragement with residents working toward sobriety.

12/20/2025

Thank you to MaryAnn, Jeanarae and Debbie for delivering 376 gift bags to Recovery House and Harris House. Thank you to all members of SOUL for helping make this possible. Sending best holiday wishes to the men and women in recovery-& to everyone in SOUL!

12/16/2025

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSMNGPyCefh/?igsh=MWo1Y2QzOTJzMjJqMw==

12/15/2025

Thank you to everyone who helped with the holiday stockings for those in recovery and special thanks to MaryAnn for a wonderful lunch and for everything she does!

12/14/2025

12/12/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR3SEPPlOVK/?igsh=NGd6MXZjaHBmbDA3

12/08/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSA14OXEijl/?igsh=MW94bnFvaG9sMXJzeg==