In healing my broken heart, I came to understand that we don’t get to choose who will die, how they will die, or when they will die. A sudden and unexpected death affirms this in a way that nothing else can. My brother was 39 years old when he died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. My […]
Read More...Caregiver Grief
Providing care for our loved ones is something we do. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents and friends rally to be with a loved one who is ill or injured. Caregiving may span years if the illness is chronic or terminal or the injury is catastrophic. The impact caregiving can have on one’s personal health is […]
Read More...Take a Break from Sorrow
I have said this before ~ we should grieve the way a child grieves. By this I mean that children pace themselves. They freely give themselves permission to shut off the pain and to tend to their needs and to play. I don’t want to imply that children don’t need help in working through loss. […]
Read More...The Destructive Power of Anger
Emotions are extremely powerful whether they are negative or positive. Positive emotions can transform your life into something beautiful, joyful, and meaningful. Negative emotions merely destroy. Napoleon Hill, author of Think & Grow Rich, identifies anger as being one of the most destructive emotions we can have. Anger is so destructive that it WILL destroy your […]
Read More...Celebrity Deaths
Elizabeth Taylor’s adoring fans grieve and mourn her passing this week. Ms. Taylor, with her beautiful violet eyes, will be remembered for her dedication to increasing awareness and helping those living with Aids. She was a talented actress, kind-hearted person, and deeply passionate about creating a better life for others. In 2009, the world mourned […]
Read More...S.H.A.R.E.
When I have the opportunity to present to nursing students, healthcare professionals or at conferences, I use the acronym S.H.A.R.E. to explain how to meet the needs of people working through loss. S – Support (engage in short & long-term supports) People rally around a family as soon as tragedy takes hold. Unfortunately, they will need support […]
Read More...Pet Grief
Pets are part of the family for people. They are loyal companions and bring a great deal of joy and laughter to us. It’s understandable that your heart can break when your pet dies. It’s not uncommon for others to not “get” what you are upset about. “It was just a pet” or “you can […]
Read More...It’s Okay to Say Their Name
People often think they will upset the family if they say the name of the deceased. This is the opposite of what the family is thinking. They want to hear their loved one’s name. In fact, hearing their loved one’s name gives them comfort. It shows them that their love one has not been forgotten. […]
Read More...R.A.G.E.
R.A.G.E. is a normal part of the grief experience. What is rage? R – regret It’s normal to experience thoughts of “could-have” “should-have” “I did” and “I didn’t” following the death of a loved one. We regret not having that conversation to clear the air or doing that special thing together that we had always […]
Read More...Loss of a Sibling
When my brother, Brian died, part of me died too. I wasn’t alone in that. His wife, three children, my mother and my brothers and sisters all felt the same way. He had a large extended family and a circle of friends who were also devastated by his death. Each of us had a different […]
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It is an honor to share my journey through grief with you. Although my story is that ~ my story~ it is important for me to acknowledge that many people shared in the losses that I share here. Each of us had a different experience and each of us grieved and mourned in a unique way. While I empathize and truly shared in the pain of others who were also affected by these tragedies, I can only speak for myself and share...