In Grief: Mother Loss vs. Spouse Loss

Make friends with guilt. Guilt is a beautiful emotion that alerts us when something is wrong so that we may achieve peace with our conscience. Without conscience there would be no morality. So we can greet guilt cordially and with acceptance, just as we do all other emotions. After we respond to guilt, it has done its job and we can release it.  ~ Glenn R. Schiraldi

A reader writes: My mother was diagnosed with cancer and was given 6 weeks to live. She died six weeks later. Just one month after that, my husband was told there was something in his lung. By the time he was finally diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, it had spread to the lining of his lung and his bones. My husband was 57 and had just retired 3 months before we knew he was ill. Within eight months after diagnosis, he was dead. So I have had two great losses in a ten-month period. 

Understanding and Managing Grief, February 3 - February 9, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

How Does Opening Up Conversations About Death Help Bereaved Parents? http://j.mp/2IfSIYz « Seven Ponds Blog

Why It’s OK for Your Loved One to Stop Eating and Drinking on Hospice, http://j.mp/2DhyQya « Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care

Grief Tracking: What A Difference A Dot Makes, http://j.mp/2Gd8uBj « Grieve Well

In Grief: Refusing to Let Go

I desire no future that will break the ties of the past.  ~ George Eliot

A reader writes: I read the Darcie Sims article posted on your Discussion Groups website on "saying goodbye." THANK YOU! It is so perfectly what I believe. In fact, I have been told several times by people to "let go" of my ex who has died. I hate that.

Caregiving and Hospice, January 27 - February 2, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Help for an Alcoholic Struggling with Addiction for 25 Years, http://j.mp/2G4LaFT « Health Journeys

Is It Ever Too Soon To Enter Hospice Care? We Ask Heart of Hospice, http://bit.ly/2CUSIqQ « KPEL965

Why falls and fractures in the elderly can be a trigger for hospice care, http://j.mp/2D7Fasj « The Journal

Understanding and Managing Grief, January 27 - February 2, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Am I Depressed? http://j.mp/2G5DG5H « Talkspace

My Cat’s Death Broke My Brain, http://j.mp/2G4whDw « Modern Loss

50 Practical Gestures to Help a Grieving Friend, http://bit.ly/2qmUgCq « Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro

Voices of Experience: My Self-Care Basket for 2019

by Anne M. Gorman

When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.   
~ Jean Shinoda Bolen

As a caregiver for my beloved Jim for five years, one important thing I learned during that time was the importance of caring for self. I think that part of healing has to do with self-care and this is what I'm doing for the New Year. I just came off of a Stay-at-Home Retreat and decided to prepare a Self-Care Basket that I can go to when I need a day to focus on myself. This did not happen to me in my first years of loss, but we change – and for me, today I like to focus on doing something for myself.

Caregiving and Hospice, January 20 - January 26, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Refusing Treatment At Age 93, http://j.mp/2RSVMhG « Barbara Karnes RN

10 things patients should know about hospitals, http://j.mp/2RNNA23 « Kevin MD

New global consensus-based definition of palliative care across all ages, http://j.mp/2RJlMfk « ehospice

Understanding and Managing Grief, January 20 - January 26, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Captivating World of Mary Oliver, http://j.mp/2RKw66y « TIME

“Get Over It,” http://j.mp/2ROTXC0 « Grief Compass

I Died Too, http://j.mp/2RLpipk « Better Not Bitter Widower

Death of A Friend: A Disenfranchised Grief

Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same.  ~ Flavia Weedn   

A reader writes: A friend of mine died last month. I have been struggling to cope since then. We met only a few months ago when I did some work at the theater where he was based. We knew each other a very short time and I realize that if you've lost someone you've known for years this may seem so selfish and silly, but we really connected and I miss him so much.

Caregiving and Hospice, January 13 - January 19, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

What is the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program? http://j.mp/2CuvRCh « Seven Ponds Blog

Conversation With Barbara Karnes - The Little Blue Book Lady! by Palliative Care Chat, http://j.mp/2CsRbIp « University of MD Baltimore

The elderly couple who bought vitamins at the grocery store, http://j.mp/2Cmu0iS « Kevin, MD

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