Grief Digest Articles

By Clarissa MollWhether you keep his things or give them away, there’s no one right way to grieve.
When my husband, Rob, died in a tragic hiking accident in July 2019, I came home to Boston from his burial service on the West Coast and boxed up his things. His baseball hats and clothes. The papers on his home office desk. In my shock and early grief, it was just too painful to look at them every day. Rows of boxes all labeled “Rob” in black Sharpie lined the back of my bedroom closet, a quiet te …

Three Short Case Studies: Thoughts and Input of a Grief Counselor by Michael C. LaFerney Ph.D Case Study One: Dealing With Anger and GuiltA 78 year-old resident of nursing home dies in the hospital 10 days after being diagnosed with Covid19.Her daughter is dealing with several emotions and feelings. First she feels guilt that “I put her in the nursing home- if I would have kept her home she wouldn't have caught the virus and died.” She also feels anger that her mother died without othe …

Social distancing orders may help slow the spread of COVID-19, but these requirements can also leave you feeling lonely and out of touch with the world. If you’re like most people, your favorite activities and hobbies have probably been put on hold due to the virus. Because there’s no telling how long quarantine and social distancing orders may stay in place, it’s helpful to establish a new normal for yourself in order to cope. Below, find out what you can do to maintain routines and feel …

The other day I received an email from a friend on Long Island. She wrote and told me about a nightly symphony she hears when she takes her evening walk at 7:00 pm. Every time it’s performed, it brings tears to her eyes.The music does not continue for as long as a Beethoven, Mozart or Schubert symphony. This orchestra strongly features its percussion section, but not with the rhythmic grace of the snare drummer playing Ravel’s Bolero. However, these percussion musicians are a very valuable part …

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 …