Grief Digest Articles

© RICHARD BELFORD In this life no one is promised tomorrow, and we often leave or are left wishing we had just five more minutes.  This makes grief one of society’s most misunderstood and profoundly difficult experiences that cannot be resolved by closure alone if there is even such a thing, but by the slow measure of acceptance that only the passage of time and words of comfort can provide. I believe my words can provide that comfort and if I were allowed a single thought about …

Nan ZastrowWhether it’s’ your First Noel or the persistent tenth after the death of a significant loved one, it’s likely not going to be a Rockin Around the Christmas Tree kind of the year. There are painful reminders everywhere about what and who is missing that can’t be ignored. Holidays are all about family, friends, and connections. While some bereaved just prefer a Silent Night.It’s not unusual for a griever to choose to have a Blue Christmas and not come Home for the Holidays this ye …

By Janice Gorey Jackson“I can’t believe we’re here. We’ll see this amazing view every single night,” I said in a hushed tone to Chris, my husband of almost five extraordinary years, who sat beside me in the living room of our rented Air BnB apartment in Montmartre.I stared out through the glass doors of our Juliet balcony beyond the familiar Parisian Mansard style rooftops to Sacre Coeur, that iconic white domed church atop the highest point in Paris, lit up brilliantly, a stark contrast …

By Keith BettingerA tree may still grow in Brooklyn, but the Survivor Tree survives at the World Trade Center.On September 11th, 2001 343 New York City firefighters, 70 police officers and countless civilians died in a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.Also lost were five tremendous buildings, many surrounding businesses and the exquisite gardens that lent to the beauty of what was once the World Trade Center.Amongst the debris, standing battered and bruised within the World Tra …

Tim KoechlinI dreamed that I saw Alex. He was a tiny curious round-headed toddler with jam on his face who loved me totally and asked if he could sit with me. I said "Yes... but let's wipe your face."I dreamed that I saw Alex. He was a tiny round-headed toddler with a furrowed brow, about to have a tantrum.I dreamed that I saw Alex. He was 7 or 10 or 12 or 24 or 32. He wondered if I wanted to have a catch.I dreamed that I saw Alex. He was walking down Caroline Street, from the bus stop to …