Grief Digest Articles
Learning to Live Fully After Loss
Just
four little words said it all, “she didn’t make it!” “Who
didn’t make it?I shouted in horror. The
telephone caller stammered, “Kandy has-s just p-p-passed away-y. I am so-o-o- very
sorry!” Stunned, I fell back in my chair, covering my mouth to muffle my
screams! My officemate began hugging me tightly. An earlier call had informed
us that a front loader (construction equipment) had struck my daughter’s little
Toyota Corolla. At that point, she had lost a lot of blood and had been rush
…
Aug 8th 2022
Anniversary Week
It has been a year since my partner died in that hospital bed at home, surrounded by family and friends, struggling and agitated until peace finally comes. Funny, his name is Peace. All are glad to see the suffering end, but we are just at the start of our own suffering. I take a long time with him during his transition, making sure I am with him on his journey. I touch him, hold him close, then release him to the waiting undertakers. I watch as they gently place him in a bag, carry him on a gur
…
Jul 26th 2022
Once upon a Starry, Starry Night
Finding Your PurposeWhat do people do when they can’t sleep?I don’t have that answer, but I do know that
diversions can help. Recently, Gary and I decided to break the string of my sleepless
nights with a diversion. At about 12:30—1:00 a.m., we drove to a remote spot to
observe the star showers that the meteorologist was talking about on the news. (Specifically,
Perseid meteor shower- August 2021) Sitting in the dark, peaceful quietness of
the universe and focusing on something so much bigg
…
Jul 5th 2022
The Day I Broke up with Grief
I opened my laptop to write one of those difficult emails to myself. And poured a glass of wine.Dear Grief,Please don’t sit with me anymore. You’ve pushed and shoved me until I feel only rage. You’ve crept into every cell and made them weep and quiver with pain, yet no tears will flow from my eyes.You’ve made me forgetful and frustrated. I can barely think clearly enough to drive. Who is this person I have become with you stalking me? Stop tormenting me! Stop trying to make me cry. Crying is n
…
May 17th 2022
In Grief and in Joy...Telling Your Story
People love to hear our stories. It’s part of our innate curiosity. It reveals who we are, and where we came from. It is a record of how we got to where we are right now. Stories are repeated and may be passed down from one generation to another. When an uncle died, whom I didn’t see in nearly 30 years, I found myself making excuses to dismiss my obligation to go to the funeral. I reasoned that I wouldn’t recognize any of the relatives anymore, nor would they recognize me!Eventually, I decided t
…
May 17th 2022