new website          www.snifflesplace.com

SniffleTalk is where you can read responses to questions that my friends have written me. I really want to listen and answer your questions. So please send me a note to snifflesbear@yahoo.com and I will post it here on my TalkBoard...don't worry, names aren't important, but experiences are! I hope that by reading what other kids are going through it will help you too!

Thanks for writing me...

Sniffles   

Can you tell me about any groups you know of in our community.  I have a friend with me today (Michael) who in in 3rd grade and his mother died.  He is worried about Christmas and how he will feel and I am trying to find more resources to help him through this hard time. thank you,   Ms. Apple & Michael          Sugar Creek Elementary School

Dear Ms. Apple and Michael,                                  Our  groups are the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month  6:30 p.m.    17 South 7th Street Lafayette, IN.   Thank you for writing,   I am on my way to Sugar Creek Elementary today to meet you both.   Cyndy   765-589-7343

Dear Sniffles,

I just had my cousin die in a car accident.  I feel so sad because I played with her a lot and now I really miss her! Are there other kids my age who had someone they love die?  I feel like I'm all alone!

Amy

Dear Amy,

I am so sorry about your cousin.You are not alone. There are lots of kids who come to Sniffles Place and talk and play and learn ways to help a hurting heart. Please look at our schedule on this website and come visit us. You would have lots of fun and we would love to have you join us.  I look forward to meeting you.

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

I was wondering if there will be camp this fall.  My sister died in May and I really miss her.  I thought camp might help me. I am sad a lot and I don't know what to do.

Amber

Dear Amber,

We aren't having camp in the fall, but we have some great groups going. I don't know how old you are, but we are having teen night on the second Monday of the month.  The next Monday is for younger kids.  You can find our schedule here on my website.  Check it out.  There are lots of kids who understand how it feels to lose someone you love.  We would love to meet you!

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

My grandmother died 2 months ago and I am so sad.  I'm sad because I miss her and I'm sad because my mom is so sad. Is there something to help her  through this?  We are both so sad, I don't know what to do. Can you help. 

Vicki

Dear Vicki,

Yes, we have groups for children and families that would be helpful for both of you. Familiy night is the first Monday of each month at 6:30pm. Then on the 4th Monday we have a new group for daughters who have lost their moms. Please email, visit our facebook page or call if you need more information.  I would love to meet you and your mom! Please don't try to handle everything alone!

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

I just wanted to say that I hope everyone has a wonderful summer enjoying their family and friends! I miss my mom a lot since she died this winter, but I love my dad and my brother!

Sammy

Dear Sammy,

I am so sorry about losing your mom. I am glad to hear that you are going to have a great summer with your dad, brother and friends. I like summer break too because I get to play more with Louie and Cassie. Hey, and don't forget to visit me on facebook!

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

I came to camp and it was great. I still miss my sister and was wondering if there was anything else that might help me. I just miss my sister so much. Nothing is the same without her here!

Penny

Dear Penny,

Yes, we have groups on Monday nights for kids and their families. We have special activities on Monday nights for May, June and July.  The first Monday is is our family gathering for adults & children who have had any kind of loss.  The second Monday is for teens and 20 something; the third Monday is for children 0 - 6th grade and adults who bring them. You can email, call or check out our facebook page if you have more questions. Plus, you can call anytime if you just need someone to talk to!  I have good listening ears!

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

My Mommy died a year ago and sometimes I miss her so much! I heard there is a camp for kids like me who lost someone they loved.  Is that right?  Can you tell me more about it?

Danny

Hi Danny,

Yes, there is a camp this April 30 for kids who lost a loved one.  You are welcome to come.  It's lots of fun and you will meet new friends who have also lost someone they love. It is called Trails of Hope Camp and you can go on line to find a form to sign up. It is trailsofhope.org. Or you can call Hippensteel to find out more about it. (765-742-7302) I hope to see you there!

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

We went to Florida for Spring break this year.  It was kinda fun, but it was kinda sad too.  My brother wasn't there this year. He had cancer and he died in January.  I miss him so much!  He did tease me alot.  You know boys do that some times.  But we played together too. So it was sad and I felt guilty having fun without him.  Is that a bad thing?

Jaimie

Hi Jaimie,

I am so glad to hear from you. I am sorry for the loss of your brother. Thank you for sharing your feelings with me.  It must be very different without him. It's okay to feel sad sometimes and it's okay to have fun.  I'll bet you have lots of great memories of him.  I know I have lots of great memories of my Grandpa Dad. That helps me when I get sad. I hope your memories will help you too.  Write to me any time. I love to hear from new friends!

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

This past week I went to the ocean and I saw so many cool things, jellyfish, shells, so many people having fun with their families, and seagulls. Even though I loved every minute of it, I missed my mom terribly. She died two years ago, and going to places we used to have fun at although it was fun, it was different. We loved to draw in the sand and watch the waves carry away the messages. So I simply left a note for my mom that said..."Jenny loves mom"...and drew a heart around it. And the waves carried it away. Somehow I think she got it.  Doing this really made me feel like mom was there on that beach with me. Would you please share this with other kids just in case they need some ideas. You have given me awesome ideas over the past year...thanks so much!

Jenny

Hi Jenny,

Of course I will let everybody know about your very cool story. Thanks so much for sharing it, and allowing me to share it as well.  I have great memories about the beach too. The ocean is a great gift we have. So are mom's.  Take care Jenny and let me know if I can help you with anything.

Sniffles 

Dear Friends,

May each and every one of you have a wonderful 2011. Some will struggle with not having someone they love with them this year. We will be thinking about you. Please know that you are loved, you have family and friends that care about you. Take really good care of yourself, get plenty of sleep and eat good healthy food. I wish you all the best.

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

I just wanted to say...Merry Christmas!

Billy

Hi Billy,

A great big beary Merry Christmas to you too! Have a wonderful time.

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,

I gave my Sniffles bear to my friend because she really needed it. I'm not sure why she needed it but she was crying and didn't want to talk about it. I don't think anyone died, but she sure looked like this would be a great job for Sniffles since you helped me so much. Thank you so much for making our owies better.

Love,

Janet

Dear Janet,

Being a good friend when you see others hurting is really special. I'm so happy you passed along your bear to help a friend in need. I'm sure she really thought that you were awesome. That was a job for Sniffles...you were right!  I am going to put your note on my website so others can see how you were so thoughtful.

Sniffles 

Dear Sniffles,

I am very excited about Thanksgiving and mostly excited about Christmas. My family always gets together to eat. Sometimes my stomach hurts so bad. I ate too much! This year will be different than last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. My moms brother or my Uncle Sam died this year and he will not be coming to the dinner like always. He was a real jokester. What's the best way to deal with the holidays?

Ashley

Dear Ashley,

The holidays are wonderful times when we get together with our families. Having a special person in our life die especially when it's the first holiday without them is really hard. My friends from all over have told me alot of stories about how they handle these times. Some write letters or cards to the person who died. It's OK if your mom gets sad or cries, she is expressing her sadness that way. A nice hug may do great things for both of you. If you have old pictures of your Uncle, ask mom if it's OK to put them up or carry one around with you. Telling stories helps and by the sound of it, you would have some pretty funny stories to tell about your Uncle Sam. I will be thinking about you and your family. When we are grieving, it is important that we get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water and eat...but not tooooooo much!  : )

Sniffles

Dear Sniffles,
I read your book about you and your Grandpa Dad, can you believe I had the very same thing happen to me? I do have a question. At my Grandpa's funeral, there were some people laughing. I did not think that anything was very funny that day. Did you get mad just like me?

Your friend,

Dan

Dear Dan,

I am sorry that your Grandpa died. We must be big kids now since we went through that. My parents and grandparents talked with me about how things die before my Grandpa Dad died, so I knew alittle a bit about it. My mom said that when people laugh at funerals, they are telling good stories and sharing something called memories. It's another way of sharing love and respect. I hope this kinda helps you. I think I was upset mainly cause Grandpa Dad died. Take care Dan and thank you for your letter.

Sniffles