Grieving with Our Texas Community

Written By Becca Allen

My heart is broken for the families who lost their loved ones in the floods at Camp Mystic. It’s the kind of grief that defies understanding sudden, devastating, and unfair in every way.

The Hill Country is a place woven into so many Texans’ lives and memories. We’ve all spent summers there—at camp, on the river, on family vacations, or for simple day trips. It’s part of what makes this tragedy feel so close to home. It’s not just a distant news story; it’s our backyard. It’s where our own children have played, explored, and grown up.

We all know someone whose child was at one of these camps even just this summer. That truth makes the pain ripple through our communities even more deeply. There’s a shared heartbreak here, a collective grief that hangs heavy in the air.

As a counselor, a mother, and simply as a human being, the thought of not being able to save my own children brings me to my knees. I can’t stop thinking about those parents those who will carry the weight of that night for the rest of their lives. Their fear, their helplessness, their unimaginable loss.

It’s hard to find the right words in the face of such grief. There may not be any that truly do it justice. But even in the absence of perfect words, we can offer our love, our support, and our shared sorrow.

May they feel held in the deepest way by the Texas community. Surrounded by a love so fierce it carries them when they can’t stand. May they know we’re all grieving with them.

What to Do When You're Trying to Process Grief and Loss from a Natural Disaster

Processing grief after a tragedy like a flood, wildfire, or other natural disaster is incredibly complex. There is no “right” way to feel or heal, but there are things that can help:

  • Acknowledge what you’re feeling. Give yourself permission to feel sad, angry, afraid, numb, or even relieved if you and your loved ones were spared. All of it is normal.

  • Talk about it. Share your experience with someone you trust like a friend, family member, faith leader, or counselor. Speaking the pain out loud can help lighten the load.

  • Stay connected. Grief can be isolating. Make time for community, whether that’s family dinners, faith gatherings, online support groups, or neighborhood events.

  • Honor the loss. Create a ritual or memorial, donate to relief efforts, write about the experience, or find another meaningful way to remember those impacted.

  • Care for your body. Stress and grief live in the body. Try to rest, eat nourishing meals, move your body gently, and breathe.

  • Know when to get help. If you’re feeling hopeless, unable to function, or constantly re-living the trauma, professional support can help you process and heal.

Natural disasters can shatter our sense of safety and control. It’s okay to feel lost or overwhelmed. Be patient with yourself and with others. you don’t have to navigate this alone.

How to Talk to your Children About the Loss of Other Children

Conversations like these are some of the hardest a parent or caregiver will ever have. It can feel impossible to explain why something so terrible has happened, especially when the victims are other children. But talking openly, in age-appropriate ways, can help children feel safer, understood, and less alone in their own confusion or fear.

Here are some gentle guidelines for approaching these talks:

  • Be honest but age-appropriate. Use clear, simple language. Avoid graphic details, but don’t lie or make promises you can’t keep (like “this will never happen to us”).

  • Follow their lead. Start by asking what they know or have heard from Friends or others. Correct misinformation gently. Answer only the questions they ask—children often process in small steps.

  • Acknowledge that it’s scary and sad. Let them know it’s okay to feel upset, confused, or worried. Model saying things like, “I feel really sad, too.”

  • Offer reassurance about safety. Explain what you and or the community do to stay safe for natural disasters in your area.

  • Validate all feelings. Children might feel fear, anger, sadness, or even nothing at all. Let them know whatever they feel is okay and you’re there to listen.

  • Keep routine and connection. Stability is comforting. Maintain familiar routines when you can, and spend extra time together in quiet, soothing ways.

  • Encourage expression. Drawing, storytelling, or playing can help younger children process big emotions. Older kids might benefit from journaling or talking.

  • Be prepared for follow-up questions. Kids often revisit the topic later. Stay open and willing to talk again.

  • Take care of yourself, too. Children often pick up on your emotional state. It’s okay to show sadness, but try to model healthy ways to cope and seek support if you need it.

Remember: you don’t have to have all the answers. Often, what children need most is the steady presence of someone who loves them, listens without judgment, and reminds them they’re not alone.

Resources & Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, please consider reaching out to these trusted local resources:

Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas
📍 205 W. Olmos Drive, San Antonio, TX 78212
📞 (210) 736‑4847
🌐 cbcst.org

Clarity Child Guidance Center
📍 8535 Tom Slick Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
📞 (210) 616‑0300
🌐 claritycgc.org

Hill Country MHDD Centers (serving Kerrville, New Braunfels & more)
📍 819 Water Street, Suite 300, Kerrville, TX 78028
📞 (830) 792‑3300
📞 Crisis Hotline: 877‑466‑0660
🌐 hillcountry.org

The Ecumenical Center
📍 8310 Ewing Halsell Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
📞 (210) 616‑0885
🌐 ecrh.org

Recommended Books for Processing Grief and Loss

For Adults

For Teens and Older Kids

For Children

Tip for Parents and Caregivers:
If you're choosing a book for your child, read it first yourself to make sure it feels right for their age and emotional readiness. Sitting with them and talking about the story can make it even more supportive.

Becca Allen
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