Grief Digest Articles

It was just a whisper, a brush against my ear. “Elisheva.” He was calling my name. It was like that, on and off, since that dreadful day. Perhaps he had experienced the same calling from the grave, by his beloved parents. Both lost to him that year. My trips to the cemetery didn’t bring him closer. I’d crouch by his newly laid grave in the rose garden, and talk to him. I wasn’t supposed to be there. It was forbidden by Jewish law but I was looking for him, among the rows of unscented roses. It e …

I spent many hours looking up at the sky as I drove to and from the hospital to be with my granddaughter. As I did, I realized why God gave us such an extraordinary roof over our heads.Sometimes, UP is where we look for hope and inspiration. Other times, it could be we just want to feel the freedom of a wide-open space. No matter what time of day or night, the beauties of the sky can overwhelm us.Yes, there are scientific reasons for why the sky is blue, why clouds form and why we are blessed wi …

Taking the Risk to Grieve with Humor and TearsMom, age 65, died 2 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. A small cell carcinoma lurked in her lungs and hid behind her sternum. Undetected for months, the cancer had metastasized to her long bones of her body and her adrenal glands above her kidney. The pain was immense, uncontrolled and death was a relief. Hospice was a godsend.Frustrated and grieving, I resorted to different types of humor. Humor is my go-to strength. It balances me, bends me, …

“I want to go see Grandpa.” Our five year old son, Bryce pleaded.“I know that we just saw Grandpa two days ago, but things have changed. Grandpa is not able to talk to you. He is hooked to machines and his eyes are closed. I want you to remember him as he was when he was up and joking with you at the hospital, like he was on Saturday,” his father and I explained.“I want to see him now.” Bryce said adamantly.“Do you understand that Grandpa can’t answer you?” I asked.“Yes, I still want to see him! …

When life is easy and carefree we seldom struggle with its great questions. . .questions like:• How did humanity come into being?• How can every person be a unique creation?• What are we called to do with our lives?• What is the nature of our relationship to others?• Is there a God and, if so, what role does God play in our lives?• Is there life beyond death?But when we are faced with a crisis, such as the death of a loved one, we can be overwhelmed by these questions. We seek answers where befo …