Grief Digest Articles

Pay Now or Pay Later…it’s a choiceBy Nan ZastrowWe purposely followed the shiny, big, brown, new Ram Truck with all its expensive chrome and trimmings. We were on a mission to help someone avoid a motor vehicle fine. The license plate on the truck was already four months past expiration and that comes with a hefty fine if the driver is stopped by an officer. We wanted to inform the driver, who may have been unaware, so he could take action.From experience, we knew the cost. Someone stopped us no …

Funebris (funeral)PJ MoonOnce upon a time, J. C. Ryle, Bishop of Liverpool, England, pastorally penned how a few more funerals, and our own funeral will take place. Though the world has moved on since Ryle’s time, funerals stubbornly remain relevant. As such, Ryle’s sober reminder is useful today as it was then; our own funeral is etched on the docket of passing time, waiting its turn after those of others. Be not deceived, dear reader; your funeral and mine will take place soon enough.Blisterin …

WHEN TOM LEFT, I CRIEDBob BaugherWe hugged good-bye on the porch. As he carried his suitcases to the car, my throat was tight as tears streamed down my face. He lifted the hatchback lid, placed the suitcases inside, looked up at me, waved, climbed into his car and drove away. As I stood there sobbing, I found myself wondering why I was taking this so hard.It began in August, 1990—the third time my mother’s cancer had returned and this time it was incurable. Doctors were able to surgically remove …

After two years of battling brain cancer, my mom was gone.Waves of sadness washed over me. I’d run through these trails a thousand times so why did I feel so lost? A disarray of emotions poured through my entire being as I ran the familiar paths.I cared for my fragile mom, planned her memorial, tried to ease my dad’s pain, and protect my children’s hearts while I packed my own pain away. Time could not be spent on my own grief while there were others needing comfort. I had to continue to be the …

AN EARLY EULOGYBY NANCY WORLEYWouldn’t it be appropriate if eulogies could be heard by the person before they die? Expressing gratitude before death, benefits both the giver and receiver and provides encouragement during difficult times.My neighbor Pete died in July of 2015. I moved next door to him three years before he died. The doc had told him his time was limited -- maybe six months, he had a leaky heart valve and was ineligible for any new clinical trials.“I’m gonna live until I die,” was …