Grief Digest Articles

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 …

The title of this article by Paula Stephens “What I Wish More People Understood About Losing a Child” quickly caught my attention on my friend, Lisa Payne’s Facebook page the other day. With the article, Lisa posted “I haven’t lost a child. I know people who have…While I felt the article was well-written and insightful, I do not know if it accurately depicts the feelings of those who have suffered this type of loss…” in preparation for her Pastoral Care final.Unfortunately, I know this type of l …

Life is something that is very precious, because longevity is not granted to everyone. The only thing in life that is promised to us is death. It is reasonable to say that most people tend to believe that tomorrow is a promised day, but in reality it really isn’t true. We all experience different phases in life such as pain, sorrow, joy, passion, and prosperity. But these phases in our lives changes as our situations change.I remember a conversation I had with a friend of mine before she passed …