Grief Digest Articles

Adults are often bewildered by the reaction of teens who have lost a family member or close friend. Most adults experience grief as a long journey where they undergo numerous emotional, psychological and physical changes. Through grief work and the passage of time healing takes place. However, with teenagers grief is not so predictable. They experience periods of grief that are interrupted with activity, play and at times they seem totally unaffected by the loss; like it never happened. Most are …

At times it seems like the negative thoughts and sadness are taking a toll on me and I start to wonder if my mind and heart will ever find peace. Suddenly, I finally find an unknown source of inner calm, I relax into it and just let myself “be.” Be in that moment of time where nothing can touch me, where I can forget for just that moment…
I appreciate these rare moments of peace in my shattered mind and body. I treat them as a time of meditation, stillness within myself. A replenishing I suppose …

She’s a woman in her mid-sixties and still dresses exclusively in bright neon colors. She cries before she talks. She knows she has come here to discuss her husband’s death. As she wipes her tears I notice her tattoos, so many—so loud. Then I wonder who has more, her or me? Now she sniffs a little and explains she is all cried out. We both know she is lying.I ask her about her life with her husband and she tells story after story that makes me realize we are so different and yet the same. Drug a …

There is a thin place between our ordinary daysA place where miracles happen and mystery dwells.How is it that my fragile heart still beatsdespite hurts deeper than physical wounds alone?Someone beloved has been ripped awayAnd life cannot be what it once was.I need eyes of faith to see what is unseen in this world,Could never explain the deeper meaning of my life…Or of his death.Hope that one day I will understand the incomprehensible why.Trust that this thin place of pain, sorrow and achingIs e …

Sweet nectar-- life giving elixirDistilled from flowers that springFrom the graves of our ancestors, our childrenLoved ones buried long ago or short….Hard to accept their leavingBut struggle is the price for life.The nectar of those precious flowers gives strength for life’s journey.Out of death comes life.Master Gardener,Work the soil of my heart until flowers bloom and I am able to drink your life sustaining gift.ABOUT THE AUTHORDesiree Woodland was born in Bismarck, North Dakota. She and her …