Managing grief does not happen overnight and it does not happen in solitude. Grief is a process.  An often slow and personal journey which clearly there is no right or wrong way to manage the loss.  You can only take one…
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When the physical acts of abuse stopped, I was 11 years old. When the emotional acts of abuse stopped I was 37. When the pain of my history of abuse stopped I was, well I will let you know when…
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Shame, blame, confusion and pain ~ these are just a few of the paths you will travel following the suicidal death of a loved one. Feelings of devastation and hopelessness often lead to a preoccupation with the reason(s) for the…
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Mortality Stalks Me Mortality stalks me. I can feel it sitting just outside my conscious mind, waiting to spring forward and pounce on me. I’ve seen it happen to others, and it’s not pleasant to watch, so I can only…
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Human beings are vulnerable to temptation, the worst of which is falling prey to abuse. It could be abusing others or self abuse. Abuse and self-esteem belong in a single category. Each follows the other in the sense that poor…
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People who have served in the military often request to have their funeral include the full military honors that they are entitled to.  Family members are often left with more questions than answers on what needs to be done in…
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If you were to ask me if I am for suicide, I would give you a resounding NO as an answer. In many cases, I feel suicide is selfish, cowardly, even cruel. Suicide is often used as a means of…
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It’s easy to give advice to someone who is suffering loss, though sincere, heartfelt advice can only come from those who have experienced loss and know the full story of recovery. It’s different for every person on earth, though the…
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There are many forms of abuse and these can cause a person self esteem to be very low. When a person is abuse this can cause them to become mentally depress and have many other mental illnesses. I wonder what…
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Grief comes in many forms. It can come from the loss of a friend or family member or even from the loss of a job. Grief is not limited to just death. If your friend is undergoing medical procedures or…
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Grief is an emotional process that we cannot escape. Death is an inevitable part of life, and one day we will all have to go through the experience when we lose someone we love. The best way to manage grief…
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Remembering the things (both the good and the bad) that you’ve shared with someone you’ve lost  will help get you through the toughest times, without having to keep your candy dishes filled with anti-depressants or lots of extra chocolate candy…..
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My mother is a nurse and has been for over 35 years. During her long career taking care of other people, she has witnessed families in their most vulnerable and heartbreaking moments. She has also witnessed patients who are suffering…
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Nobody ever goes into pregnancy thinking they will hear the words, “I’m sorry.  Your baby is dead.”   Like car accidents and other life traumas, everybody thinks it will happen to someone else.   Yet it does happen and far too often…
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When I looked out at the congregation the Sunday after my wife had died, I immediately knew the faces of those who had walked this path before me. I knew they knew and I drew strength just knowing others had…
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Talking to their parents about end-of-life issues can be very difficult. This is because most people do not want to deal with their own mortality. Being respectful of their emotions is extremely important so that the parent does not feel…
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How to Plan A Memorial Service: Having just recently held a memorial service for my husband, I feel it is important to pass along all the information that might be needed to others. It is also important to realize that,…
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