Saturday Morning Message: How Do You Relieve Stress?
Author: TAPS
Good Morning,
Reflection of emotions from our grief journey, a journey we did not choose, can sometimes lead us astray and away from family, friends and the peacefulness of nature. Navigating our experiences together and seeing the beauty that surrounds us can refuel us to reach out and connect with others at TAPS. As we walk together through our grief, let us pause to see the real splendor outside allowing us space to ponder ways to be connected through service to others to honor our loved ones through nature.
Question for Next Week’s Saturday Morning Message
As we recognize Earth Day in April (April 22), a time when the world focuses on the preservation and protection of the world around us, we want to know:
What are those things in nature that remind you most of your loved one?
Big hugs,
Your Online Community Team
▶▶ We Welcome Your Reply
In order to have your reply considered for next week's edition of the Saturday Morning Message, please send your response by Tuesday morning, April 13, to online@taps.org. The Saturday Morning Message (SMM) was created for survivors to share information with those who have subscribed with each other.
Responses from Survivors to last week's question
How do you relieve stress in your daily life?
From Kelsey, mother of Michael: I relieve stress by reading and spending time with my grandson.
From Claire, surviving granddaughter of Marlin: If I am stressed and have recognized that I am stressed, I make a point of expressing it, whether that means writing it down somewhere or talking to someone about it because at least I am not letting it bottle up inside me. For me expressing it in some way is already taking a bit of the weight of stress off my shoulders. It also helps me process the situation or situations that are causing me stress and helps me find solutions to maybe alleviate the stress.
From Kristin, mother of Jonathan: One way I relieve stress is by taking a long, hot, Epsom salt bath.
▶▶ We Welcome Your Comments
If you would like to send a note commenting on one or all of the responses in this week’s Saturday Morning Message, send it to online@taps.org and your thoughts will be passed along to each contributor. You never know how your words may touch the heart of another.
Recipe for the Week
This week's recipe was shared by Patricia, mother of Christopher.
"This was Christopher’s favorite! We have renamed it 'Christopher’s sauce'. I made it recently for the first time since he died 5 years ago. It was for a friend whose husband was in hospice and I was told he rallied to have some and said it was 'outstanding.' Always made with love️!"
Aunt Olga’s Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs: “Christopher’s Sauce”
Sauce
- 3 medium onions
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- Salt, pepper, rosemary, oregano, thyme
- 2 large cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 lb. hamburger (optional)
- ¼ cup good olive oil
Cooking Instructions
Brown onion, garlic, celery in olive oil. Add the hamburger if using and cook. Add 1 16 oz. can of tomato sauce and 2 large cans of whole peeled tomatoes. Simmer 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Meatballs
- 1 lb. hamburger
- 1 cup grated cheese
- 2 eggs - add pepper and garlic salt
- Bread crumbs
Cooking Instructions
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Shape into small meatballs and braise in a skillet. Add sauce and simmer until done. Serve over your favorite spaghetti or pasta.
▶▶ Send Your Favorite Song, Poem or Recipe
Each week, we publish a song, poem, or recipe that has special meaning for our survivors. If you have a favorite that you would like to share with the Saturday Morning Message community, please send it to online@taps.org and include a note about why it is meaningful to you. These beautiful points of connection can offer hope and inspiration to others.
Other Items and Events of Interest
Join us on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 to 30, for our 27th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar! We will be live streaming all of our general sessions with guest speakers.
Important Note: In-person registration is still open, but we are in a waitlist situation due to COVID occupancy restrictions in the State of Virginia.
If you have any questions, email seminarregistrations@taps.org or call our Helpline at 202.588.TAPS (8277).
▶▶ Connect With Your TAPS Family
You can discover all the opportunities to connect with your TAPS Family on our website at the TAPS Event Calendar.
About the Saturday Morning Message
The Saturday Morning Message (SMM) is a weekly communication contributed by survivors. The primary focus of the SMM is to foster peer-based connections for support and encouragement. It is the goal of this communication to foster a safe, supportive place where we can openly share in a nonjudgmental and caring manner. Read and contribute as you are comfortable. Content submitted for the SMM is edited for space considerations and may be used in other TAPS publications. The loving family at TAPS is available to you 24 hours a day. Please call 202-588-TAPS (8277).