GriefShare programs serve as a beacon of hope for those grappling with loss, especially around the holidays. Thanks in large part to Harold Sandford, Carbon County has one of its own going strong each Wednesday morning at Faith Alive Church near Bowmanstown.

For Sandford, however, the journey started about five years ago when a close friend faced the daunting challenge of finding a local support system after losing her husband.

“The only available program was located in a distant area, making attendance somewhat difficult,” Sandford said. “She didn’t feel safe driving out to the boonies where it was held.”

Fueled by a sense of purpose and empathy, Sandford, with the blessing of the Rev. Brad Leight, decided to bridge the gap by initiating a grief share program four or five years ago at Grace-St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Penn Forest Township.

Despite a slow start, it gradually gained momentum.

“Donna Devillers and I started the program and on the first night it was supposed to start at 6 p.m.,” Sandford recalled. “We looked out in the parking lot and there was nobody there. Same thing happened the next week. We were discouraged but we knew it was just the devil trying to discourage us from doing the program.”

Eventually two or three people started coming and after several weeks, Sandford and Devillers had all the seats around the kitchen table at the church full.

The driving force behind Sandford’s commitment to grief share stems from his personal experiences. He tragically lost his only son to a drug overdose 47 years ago, plunging him into a “fog of grief” that persisted for years.

Subsequently, his first wife passed away in 2018, marking a profound turning point in his life.

“Those experiences really became the catalyst for my dedication to the grief share ministry,” he said. “It provided a platform to channel my own grief into a force for healing in others.”

Sandford moved to a residence on Lizard Creek Road and found the drive up the mountain too far to continue the program at Grace St. Paul. Just eight weeks ago, he started the initial grief share program at Faith Alive.

“They had never really had the type of program we were doing and they were very receptive and welcoming,” Sandford said of Faith Alive.

Reflecting on the program’s evolution, he emphasized the impact it had on him personally.

“It helped me navigate through the guilt and “what if” scenarios that often accompany grief, and provided a structured space to process my emotions,” he said. “The sessions last around 30 minutes each and promote a supportive environment for participants to share their stories and progress through the healing journey.”

With the holiday season approaching, a time often fraught with heightened emotions, Sandford urged those grappling with grief to seek help immediately if they experience thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

“It can be a lifeline for people navigating the challenges of loss during the holidays,” he said. “Open dialogue is key. I am not afraid to show my emotions. If I break down in class, that’s OK. Crying is not a sign of weakness. You lost somebody that you really cared about and that emotion is OK.”

Having turned 90 earlier this month, Sandford is showing no signs of slowing down in his grief share leadership role.

“God still has a purpose for me,” he said, “and I feel the biggest part of it right now is the grief share.”

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