Weaving Ribbons

Suggested Groups: As a family activity — all, if used as a group activity, young through adult

Purpose:

• To allow family members to write personal messages, to gather the messages as a family group, to share them with the support group as a whole and then to leave the messages on display as a public statement.
• As a family to give children the support and permission from their caregivers to build and express memories of the person who died.

Task/need: Approaching the pain of the loss, converting the relationship…to one of memory, living on the grief spiral.

Activity Setup Ideas:

• After the approach to the project has been selected (family or closing activity) explain the activity to the group and encourage them to give thought to the type of message that they want on their ribbon.

Materials:

• Several colors of Flora Satin ribbon cut in 55” or 67” lengths.
• Sharpie Markers/Opaque Paint markers (about 6-10 per group)
• Tables covered

Description:

As a family activity: Families work together at covered tables writing their individual messages. Have them draw or write a message: Message to the Person Who Died; Memory of the person who died; Gift of words (thanks/goodbye) to person who died or a CP child/adult/volunteer; Favorite saying, etc.

At a designated time, the messages are shared with each other and the group at large. Then, with the help of volunteers, the ribbons are woven into the 'fence.' (The 'fence' is specific to the Pittsburgh Caring Place, but ribbons can be displayed any way desired)

As a group activity: When done in groups, the activity is done much the same way, with each group member using a ribbon to write a message to or memory about their person who died. Once the ribbons are finished, they can be woven together into a 'mat' that can be hung in the room for the remainder of the session. After the session is completed, the children can take their individual ribbons with them.

Notes: This activity, when done as a family activity, is generally used as a closing activity in an ongoing group.

Ribbon needs to be taped to the table in several places to avoid slipping while writing or drawing.

Colors of Ribbons determine the markers to be used. Light colored ribbons work well with Sharpie pens (with the exception of yellow). Dark colored ribbons work best when using opaque paint pens.

These pens are permanent pens and must be closely supervised with the children. Keep track of the paint pens and do not allow the children to doodle with them. Make sure the tables are covered.

Activity Wrap-up:

As a family activity: Families are asked to gather in groups. Convener may comment on the rainbows of color, stories, thoughts, laughter and tears each ribbon represents, as well as the rainbow of support and caring we have shared with each other. Now as we come to part, each family is invited to share their messages with each other and with the group. The "I Pass" rule still applies. As the family finishes reading, a volunteer assists tying the ribbons together and will weave the ribbon into the fence. The next family then reads their ribbon. At the end, the pledge is said.

As a group activity:

• Allow group members to share if they wish, and as a group, weave the ribbons together.
• Discuss what brings the group members together (grief) as their ribbons are woven together.