There ARE stories of survival in Haiti (after Tuesday’s earthquake): …The thirteen-year-old girl named Bea who heard cheers of joy when she was pulled from the rubble (sadly the bodies of four members of her family lay nearby). …A trapped security worker pulled from beneath the rubble of the United Nations compound after a 15-member […]

“I never got to say goodbye to my aunt. “I was living far away when she died, and I had no means of attending her funeral. Sometimes it’s even difficult for me to believe that she is gone. As time goes by, and my life changes and special events come and go, I feel a […]

During my walk this morning I was preoccupied with thoughts…sorrow over the sudden recent death of my aunt (my Mom’s delightful younger sister who, at age 86, passed away yesterday—like my mother, my aunt has Alzheimer’s but sadly Auntie would get very confused and panicky and couldn’t take it any more so she stopped eating), […]

We can learn from Natalie Tjahja, the Indonesian woman who is making the dreams of distressed families come true. In 2006 Natalie’s seven-year-old daughter Maria Monique died from a lung infection because doctors in Indonesia were not able to treat her. Tjahja sold everything and flew with her daughter to Singapore for treatment. She soon […]

There may be times you want to help a relative or friend who is grieving…but perhaps you don’t know how.   Here is a list of suggestions.   –You could help make phone calls: to relatives and friends, to the doctor or lawyer or accountant, to a child’s school, to a place of employment, to […]

Here is a sample letter of condolence you might send a friend (when you knew the deceased): Dear Mark, My heart ached this morning when Marie called and I heard the news of Tim’s death. Words seem so inadequate but this letter comes filled with love and sympathy for the death of your father. I […]

Here is a sample letter of condolence you might send a friend (when you didn’t know the deceased): Dear Janice, This morning James told us the sad news of your mother’s death. My family and I extend our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. The loss must touch you very deeply as you face […]

In my last post I gave some ideas about what to write in a letter of condolence. In closing your letter, you’ll want to reflect your feelings (and the feelings of others members in your household if you are speaking on behalf of your family). You can do that with a word: “Yours truly,” “Sincerely,” […]

You just heard about the death of —- (someone you knew) and now you want to write a letter of condolence to the bereaved…but you aren’t sure what to write. Here are some tips: Express your sorrow sincerely. –Be honest…and write the way you would normally speak to the person. Let the bereaved know you […]

Communication is: Reaching out to yourself in others, And allowing them to reach out to themselves in you. It is daring to share, And caring enough to be real. There is no Us against Them. There is only you and I and all that we can give one another. We are not here to be […]