This is so important…I had to share: “… my niece. I know I needn’t state the obvious, but I will. She is absolutely gorgeous. As with all things true beauty lies within; and she is truly beautiful. She is compassionate, kind, creative and a true friend. I know this not because I am her biased […]

It is with such deep sadness that I write this post. Today a local teen has passed away from a car accident and his two friends, also in the accident, are in critical condition. And for them, grad was only a few months away. I am a mother of two teens…and this tragedy has struck […]

July is bereaved parents awareness month—a time when the spotlight is on us to reach out to bereaved parents and their families. We are encouraged to listen to them without advising them…to offer a shoulder to cry on…to give a hug when appropriate and needed…to be there for the bereaved.  Bereaved parents are often trapped […]

It’s the eyes—that look…of such sorrow…and emptiness…and shock…mixed with exhaustion. Such pain. It’s hard to see you hurting so much. I want to wrap you in a blanket of warmth and safety and tell you it’s going to be OK…but I know that’s not true right now. I feel so helpless. All I can do […]

“I was sorry to hear the bad news.” “You’ve been through a lot.” “How are you doing?” “Tell me more about it.” “I care.” “If you ever need to talk, I’m available.” Be there. There is nothing more valuable than someone by your side when you are struggling with the shock of loss. Avoid giving […]

Acknowledge Listen Give hope To comfort someone who is heartbroken, be willing to acknowledge their situation. Then listen without fixing, and give hope by communicating through actions or words such as, “You’re not alone. I’m here. I care.” A simple invitation to join a Thanksgiving dinner or holiday party gives hope. Being connected and supported […]

Losing your second parent can stir up feelings of abandonment—that you’re all alone in the world. “Orphaned adults” we are called…even if our parents lived a long life…and it was an expected death associated with “old age”. Yes, it may have been expected…but with it there is soul searching…and a feeling of being without a […]

I had started my grieving in the years my Mother lived with Alzheimer’s…and it grew in intensity in the years before her death…as she gradually evaporated before my eyes. For several months after her husband of 68 years died in June 2010, she’d displayed a disinterest in life and started to wither away. (She had […]

Today is the 10th anniversary of Sept 11th. For some, having a memorial can make this a day of comfort…a day of healing—grief becomes a community event that generates strength. For others it will be a day of pain…as memories, loaded with heavy emotions of losing a family member or friend, are placed directly in […]

“I wrote this poem 6 days after my sister passed away suddenly. She had survived 2 heart transplants and was in GREAT health when she was taken from us. This poem explains everything I was going through at the time and am still going through now, 3 months later. My sister was an incredible wife, […]