Grief Digest Articles

By Paulina Rael Jaramillo, M.A.Children have a built-in tendency to sense when something is wrong. Letting them know (in age appropriate terms) when a close family member is seriously ill or has died, is much better than withholding information and speaking in hushed voices. Keeping children “in the dark” creates and air of mystery and impending doom. They have vivid imaginations and tend to put the worst possible interpretations on things they don’t understand, especially when adults are being …

During the 1950s, a lovely lady named Floss, witnessed a little girl with weight on her shoulders and fingernails bitten to the quick. It was then that I was rescued. Aunt Floss spent quality time teaching alternative ways to express my feelings with infinite compassion.Her most memorable advice was hand written, “Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings. Whether feeling sad, hurt, happy or angry, our emotions need expression. What better way than putting pen to paper?” She handed me a beautiful …

Goodbyes are necessary. How do you tend to say them? What usually comes upon your mind when saying goodbyes? When was the last time you expressed goodbyes, not out of mere habit or formality, but for real?Some years ago, I met a mourner who was pivotally struck with the fragile nature of life. Though the celebratory campaign of "strength," "resilience," and "endurance" of humanity is heavily promoted in society, in the end, each of us has a distinct – and promised – day of death. Strength, resil …

I walk out to my driveway on a routine chore, find to my amazement a glorious, noble raptor. I decide it has just died. It is perfect. I am stunned by its dark head, striped gray and black feathers, white breast, and yellow legs. Even in death it looks powerful, intelligent, alert. As a city girl, it's hard to organize a funeral for such a magnificent creature, alone. I gently place it in a wooded area …

Saying goodbye is harder during a pandemic. Having a wake, celebration of life, or even a visitation is no longer possible with stay at home orders, limited gatherings, and indoor restrictions. Loving a loved one during a pandemic has cast a shadow over grief, mourning, and bereavement. Traditional ways of managing death are not able to comfort those who are grieving. Restrictions on funeral homes, churches, dining, and even grave site services make it exceedingly difficult to honor our dead o …