Voices of Experience: A Promise At Passing

The author at age 2 with her grandmother,
sharing the love of literature 

Author J. Ivanel Johnson shares here the inspiration bestowed upon her by her grandmother through many decades ~ and how a death-bed promise she made to her 30 years ago has finally been kept. She explains how keeping promises made to a passing loved one keeps them close, and may help alleviate any guilt felt at the time of their death.

Pet Loss: Questions from A College Student

The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.  ~ Thomas Berger

A reader writes: I am a college student who attended one of your in-person pet loss support groups, and I was glad to be there to share feelings with other animal lovers. I grieved over the death of my third dog seven years ago, and I still know how sad I was when I lost him. I am writing a research paper on pet loss for one of my classes, and I’m hoping you’d be willing to provide more information on some questions I’d like to ask you.

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 8 - May 14, 2022

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

New research identifies key determinants of bereavement intensity. Understanding Grief in the Shadow of COVID-19 « Psychology Today 

If someone you love has died during the novel coronavirus pandemic, you have come to grief in an exceptionally challenging moment in history . . . These and other pandemic-related barriers to the cultural grief rituals we rely on may be making your grief journey especially painful. Ten Freedoms for Using Ceremony During The Pandemic « AfterTalk

In Grief: Is Our Friend Dating Too Soon After His Wife Died?

Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.  ~ Maya Angelou

A reader writes: I just read your last post on grief, and I'm wondering: What would you say about this situation? A friend of ours was buried 12 days ago and her widowed spouse came over yesterday to tell us that he has a date this Friday evening. My husband has known this man since high school and we've always considered both him and his wife to be good friends. We acted happy for him, but I thought his dating so soon after the death of his wife to be a little unusual. I’m guessing that you’ll say that this is his way of handling his grief by trying to find someone to fill the empty spot…but, 12 days?!

Understanding and Managing Grief, April 24 - May 7, 2022

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

Like so many institutions and rituals, the funeral business has undergone extraordinary change during the pandemic . . .The lifting of restrictions is allowing more people to attend funerals in person. With restrictions easing, families begin to turn grief into mourning « London Free Press 

Coping with Grief on Mother’s Day: Selected Resources

Source

If I had a single flower for every time I think of you, I could walk forever in my garden.  ~ Claudia Adrienne Grandi

This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day, a day set aside for honoring one’s own mother and for celebrating motherhood. But for those who are mourning the loss of a mother or grandmother, or for mothers who are mourning the loss of a child or grandchild, this can be instead a most difficult day to endure.

If you find yourself or someone you love in these circumstances, know that you are not alone.

For practical suggestions on how to cope with grief on Mother’s Day ~ or on how to better understand and support a mother, daughter, grandmother (or a dad!) in grief ~ you're invited to access one or more of the helpful articles and resources listed here:

Pet Loss: Seeking Support From A Group

A reader writes: Based on your experience facilitating a Pet Loss Support Group, I'm hoping can you answer some questions for an article I am writing. For instance, how important is it for people who have lost a pet to seek help from a support group? What are some of the more common reasons they have for going to a pet loss support group? And how do they usually feel by the time they get to the support group?

Understanding and Managing Grief, April 17 - April 23, 2022

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

Bioethicist Arthur Caplan discusses the tragedy of people dying alone, especially during COVID, and how we should change that. COVID-19: The Sadness of Dying Alone -- What Can We Do? « Medscape

Voices of Experience: Feeling Fate

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in our philosophy.  ~ Hamlet, The Tragedy of Hamlet (First Folio), Act 1, Scene 5

My own suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose.  ~ J.B.S. Haldane, scientist

From nearly the start of her fairy-tale romance, Joni Sensel knew she would lose the man whose love changed her life. A dark premonition had warned her. Though she kept this secret in their short time together, upon his death she’s compelled to share it in a letter addressed to his spirit. By sharing the story of her premonition, Joni hopes to encourage others to reflect on their own numinous experiences, and to share them without shame or hesitation. The following excerpt comes from her book, Feeling Fate: A Memoir of Love, Intuition, and Spirit, and is reprinted here with her publisher’s permission.

Understanding and Managing Grief, April 10 - April 16, 2022

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

“Grief is neither a problem to be solved nor a problem to be overcome. It is a sacred expression of love – a sacred sorrow.”  Grief: Neither a problem to solve nor a problem to overcome « People's Defender 

Alan D. Wolfelt: My Position on the New “Prolonged Grief Disorder” Diagnostic Category in the DSM Grief Is Not a Disorder « Center for Loss & Life Transition