Grief Digest Articles

“Did you know you can pause your cable while you grieve?” the customer service representative offered. My eyes grew large. My mouth dropped open, then transitioned to a smirk. Freshly widowed, I called the cable provider in hopes of downgrading to the cheapest plan. I needed to reduce my monthly expenses, and pausing cable wasn’t a terrible idea. It would allow me to live in the land between cable and no cable.But I was taken aback by the lack of compassion. I assumed the agent would offer …

Written by J. Lewis III (John L. Clark III.) To people dealing with grief, it seems like the world is constantly against them. Honestly, it is not personal; life is an equal-opportunity screw-off. Anyone can get it, but although that is the case, navigating through all the minutia that seems to be in your way is challenging. Life is easy, but living it is hard. It is one reason why the world’s suicide rate is so high. Over 800,000 people fall victim annually. It is not that some people we …

I started planting roses and for a few years it was this peaceful respite that I looked forward to each summer. Radiant petals would bloom, rising out of cold, lifeless soil bursting into an explosion of color.Early May, I started the cycle again and for weeks the roses were vibrant and rich with life. My dad died and I realized I was no better at grief than I had been before. For two days we clung to the tiniest sliver of hope. We showed up, we stood vigil, we prayed, we cried. I watched m …

Unlike Ebenezer Scrooge’s ghost, my “ghost of Christmas past,” didn’t haunt me with bad deeds, greediness or distant memories. Instead, it caused an intense aching pain that validated my loss of dreams. For many holidays after the death of my son, Chad, the ghost of Christmas past could haunt my memories and shake my spirit long before the air was filled with the miracles and magic of the holiday season. The chains that linked me to holidays-gone-by were ever so real.Prior to Chad’s death, …

As I walked into your bedroom last night I noticed a bright light on the floor I know it was you shining down I laid my hands on the light The light was translucent I could see it shining through my fingers For a moment I felt the warmth Of your body that once rested there I know you were telling me That your spirit is still here Combining your spirit with mine In the only way you can Not wanting to release my touch Pressing harder and longer As if fearful that you won't Vis …