A monthly grief support group might be Chilton County’s least appreciated resource.

Other causes–such as cancer, arthritis and blood donation–draw more attention, but dealing with the loss of a loved one can be the most difficult experience many of us ever have to go through. Sure, those other diseases and methods of preventing diseases deserve every headline in the newspaper and mention in conversation that they get, but grief is something that will affect us all at some point in our lives and is therefore a worthwhile cause itself.

The one-hour meetings at Trinity Episcopal Church in Clanton are held on various Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and are co-led by the Rev. Bill King, rector of the church, and Annella Smith of First United Methodist Church. Sessions will be held in August and September.

The group is available for anyone experiencing grief following the death of a spouse, family member or friend or any other emotional death or separation in people’s lives.

“Grief and grieving is a process,” King said. “To rush through the process or to avoid or deny it can bring us to a point of entering into a pattern of chronic symptoms of exaggerated or unexpressed grief.”

It’s important for local residents struggling with loss to take advantage of a group such as this one.

The death of a loved one is never easy, but there are people who can help.