Grief Digest Articles

By Marilyn LanzaLoss of an egalitarian relationship is how I thought of my husband’s death. Ron and I had a real and consuming relationship based on equality. I was always spontaneous and shared with Ron my love for him, including on the day he died. I go over and over the last time I was with Ron. It was wonderful but far too short, not only that particular day but our life together. He had prepared breakfast when I came downstairs as usual at 4:00 A.M. and I went and sat on his lap. I was goi …

By Richard Lawrence BelfordIt’s hard to believe, as I look ahead to and beyond another Father’s Day that my own father has been gone for three years now, as it is equally difficult to realize that it's been over three months since my brother in-law's wife passed away, and less than twelve weeks ago that my aunt lost her son. This means that other family members besides me have also been grieving, having lost either a grandparent, a parent, a spouse, a child, a brother or brother in-law, a sister …

PJ MoonIt ruptured through the curtains;once veiled, now seen. Though unbelieving, stilted portraits stumble along a stony path in the mind.What wishes, what cravings go unfulfilled.It uttered through the curtains;once mute, now with voice.Its shadowy yarns and unwelcome reminders both instruct and slam.What of my wish to be afforded those days again?How sorry is my heart to have been so thoughtless?Its skulking droning grips me through the curtains.Its dim, unadorned speech rattles my caged mem …

By Patricia Roop HollingerMy Dad, at the age of 91, had yet another farm related accident. He had already survived being kicked by a horse in his early 20’s, having his right arm amputated when it had gotten entangled under a mower blade and several major heart operations. For him, this latest one just presented him with yet another challenge of how he would adjust to having his hip replaced.The operation was scheduled for the next day and in light of the flurry of activity that my mother and I …

By Jacqueline Eberle On New Year’s Day 2002 at 5:30 am, my phone rang; it was my brother-in-law. When I picked up the phone, I was informed that my father had passed away. My response was “What? What happened? “ My brother-in-law told me that my sister would be coming over to pick me up to go to my parents’ home; before he hung up, he told me he was sorry for the family’s loss.When I hung up the phone, all I could think of while I was getting dressed was, “Why did you smoke so much and n …