THE SAND DOLLAR PROJECT
The Sand Dollar Project's Mission
We all struggle with grief in a variety of ways. You may feel happy, sad, frightened, mad or a little bit of them all. Many people feel that having an opportunity to talk with others during their time of grief eases their pain. The Sand Dollar Project's mission is to meet once a week in a group setting. We are a Bereavement Missional Community offering free grief support services to those who have experienced the death of a loved one. The Sand Dollar Project is designed to give bereaved adults, children and families a safe place to express their thoughts and feelings with others on a similar journey.
Our groups typically meet once a week for nine weeks. Families enjoy fellowship with one another in the Parish hall beginning around 6:00 PM with a free meal provided by our generous donors. After our fellowship together, adults (Sand Dollars) and children (Starfish) break off into two groups. Groups are overseen by Certified School Counselors and Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisors. Groups typically meet from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The evening is closed out with a dessert social and closing words/wrap up around 7:30 PM.
Interested in hosting a Sand Dollar Project?
Contact Amber Barbee
Photo by Macie Jenkins Jalowy
Why the Sand Dollar?
The Fishaholic:
On April 14, 2018, my sweetest "Bubba" nestled off to sleep in Jesus landing net. There is no doubt in my heart this wonderful fisherman was judged as good enough to keep. I know he was greeted by our wonderful grandparents, and I keep picturing him sitting in a rocking chair next to our dad rocking the babies Clint and I lost ten years ago. My heart breaks for not only losing my brother but also the man who stepped in to fill the shoes of my father when we lost him 17 years ago. Bubbie’s last day was spent surrounded by so many wonderful people who told him how much they loved him. I keep reminding myself I was able to kiss him goodbye and tell him how much I loved him and hear him tell me. I’ll always remember his smile when I told him how I’d love on his grand babies for him one day and take care of Macie and D boy.
I hate cancer! It is such an ugly, horrible word. I feel my brother did not let this disease define him. God held him the whole time and he fought it with his whole heart. I know Jesus is telling him - “Bub, you ARE an over comer!” I prayed every day for his healing, and God gave him the most wonderful healing of all- a new body that allows him to hunt and fish free from pain and suffering.
My brother was an avid Fisherman. He loved to fish and even more importantly he loved to teach others to fish, while out on his boat The Fishaholic. On many of his fishing trips, he dug through the sand to pick Sand Dollars. The Sand Dollar Legend is an Easter and Christmas favorite which tells a story that includes the five slits representing the wounds on Christ when on the cross, the Easter lily with a star in the middle representing the star of Bethlehem and on the back is the outline of a Poinsettia, the Christmas flower.
My niece found the Sand Dollars (pictured above) in the sand on the shore where his ashes were spread. When I see a Sand Dollar, I take it as a sign of my brother, Bubba, sending a message of love to us from Heaven. I have noticed that even when a Sand Dollar is broken, it is still a beautiful shell that people want to keep and treasure. The Sand Dollar is actually one of the stronger creatures of the sea. Legend has it that if you break one's center, five white doves will emerge to spread peace on Earth.
While my family struggled with their grief and bereavement, I found it disappointing that there were not many support groups for families in the Fort Bend, Wharton, and Jackson County areas. As I prayed to God for counsel, He entrusted to me the mission to start a support group of my own in our area. I can't think of a better name than the Sand Dollar Project.