Grief Digest Articles

He would’ve been 36 today.Even after six and a half years, anniversaries of any kind are difficult. When we love people, we memorize dates that are important, that honor them or our relationship. After they die, those dates become hurdles, often lined with “I should” statements.I’ve found anticipation is often worse than the actual day, I’ve been thinking all week about what I should/want/need to do for James today. I could:• make his favorite foods: cheesy potatoes, Parmesan chicken, brownies• …

They’re still there, the birds that roost in the open spaces of the letters in the grocery store sign.Only a handful of times has a natural smile bloomed onto my face in the past three months. It unfolded very carefully, though without hesitation. The delicate petals of some pretty pink flower unfurled to reveal a reminiscent peace that my body had forgotten about.I hadn’t noticed them at all the last few times I tried to come here. I had forgotten the solace they used to bring, on my menial tri …

I often get thoughts pop into my head about wife. It’s almost as if she were here saying “remember when ...”. This used to throw me into such a place of despair and depression, but now it automatically brings a small smile to the corner of my lips and then a twinge of sadness but the smile will remain. I’m not saying I force this smile upon myself, it happens naturally now. Of course I still cry and even break down and crash sometimes, but now a smile is the first thing that appears.This entire …

By Nancy WorleyI needed time alone to work with my thoughts when my mom died.What I did not need was advice. I wanted no company.Getting through and beyond the loss of a beloved is heart breaking and tedious. Healing within must take place on many levels.I came up with a series of simple steps that moved me from stifling grief to gratitude.Buy a blank journal to capture death artifacts.I included the newspaper clipping announcing her death, which named survivors. I saved a thank-you note I wrote …

My Analog DissonanceJust in time.Just in time, he said, or else we would never have had the chance to say goodbye.Just in time, she said, or else watching the suffering would have been too painful.Just in time, I think, in time, in time, it won’t hurt so much and I won’t feel as if I am dead, too.The flowers arrive early, as does my family and a group of friends.The funeral directors and reader I’d selected were on time.We started late, because I didn’t want to go through with any of it, even th …