Monday, March 26, 2018

In Grief: When Credit Is Due

[Reviewed and updated August 21, 2022]

Recognizing what we’re doing right doesn’t mean we become complacent and stop striving for improvement. It just means we’ve learned one of the most important things we can do for our happiness and success. And that is: Give yourself some credit!  ~ Noch Noch
A reader writes: My wife of 32 years was killed instantly in a car crash seven months ago. She was simply headed for her lunch break from work when an unlicensed, repeat offender hit her head on. He is being charged with felony vehicular manslaughter. We have two daughters and three grandkids. My wife was the love and the soul of my life. We had such a wonderful marriage. We did so much together over the years. The memories are so haunting I can hardly take it. I am so alone now. The warmth in my life is gone. My house seems so cold and empty. The flowers she planted the day before her death are still flourishing. I see them everyday as I walk out the front door and I'm always hit with a ton of bricks. I still haven't fully accepted it.

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Caregiving and Hospice, March 18 - March 24, 2018

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

The role of canine companionship in end-of-life care, http://j.mp/2G5VdH6 « Lansing State Journal

Man Therapy: Innovative Approach to Suicide Prevention for Working Aged Men, http://j.mp/2FRdQ5y « ManTherapy.org

Challenges of ‘Being with’ Patients Nearing the End of Life, http://j.mp/2u2zVIY « Nursing Times

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Understanding and Managing Grief, March 18 - March 24, 2018

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

Hospices Respond to Community Grief Caused by Opioid Overdoses, http://j.mp/2ui1I8m « The Lancet USA Blog

7 Rules for Loving a Grieving Heart, http://j.mp/2Ghm3PX « Bryan C. Taylor

Grief and Oral History: Keeping Memories Alive, http://j.mp/2ubrcUJ « What's Your Grief?

Coping with Pet Loss, March 18 - March 24, 2018

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

Saying Goodbye to Hedda, Part 3: Creating an End-of-Life Ritual, http://j.mp/2DNgrYA « The Conscious Cat

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Monday, March 19, 2018

In Grief: Supporting A Partner in Mourning

[Reviewed and updated January 7, 2024]

When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is more powerful than a million empty words.  ~ Thema Davis

If those who share their stories in our online Loss of a Love Relationship forum are any indication, individuals whose partners have lost a family member to death are often dismayed by the profound and often negative impact such a loss can have on the couple's relationship. As stated in an earlier post, we are all different from one another, not only in how we think, feel and behave, but also in how we mourn. If this is a couple's first experience with significant loss and they are unfamiliar with grief, they may misinterpret each other's behaviors, misunderstand their partner's needs and fail to meet their expectations. Hurt feelings and conflict may follow, and eventually their entire relationship can get derailed.

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Caregiving and Hospice, March 11 - March 17, 2018

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

How Can Families Save Money With Home Funerals? http://j.mp/2DBfrGy « Seven Ponds Blog

Living While Dying: A Short Film Featuring Role Models for Dying Well, http://bit.ly/2DxYvRy « Health Central

Our Monthly Tip: Designate a Legacy Contact for Your Facebook Account, http://j.mp/2FKJTA2 « Seven Ponds Blog

Understanding and Managing Grief, March 11 - March 17, 2018

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

Grief Study: Invitation to Participate: Emotion Regulation in Bereavement, http://j.mp/2FMVqPb « University of Arizona

Learning to Sleep in Grief: Tips from a Widowed Pharmacist, http://j.mp/2FQ9Jml « Bryan C. Taylor

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Coping with Pet Loss, March 11 - March 17, 2018

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

Saying Goodbye to Hedda, Part Two: Making the Euthanasia Decision, http://j.mp/2FHXOH1 « The Conscious Cat

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Monday, March 12, 2018

Voices of Experience: Death of a Friend and the Lesson of Feathers

Feathers appear when angels are near.  ~ Karen Borga

Julie Siri, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years' experience in death, dying and bereavement. She is a seasoned hospice worker, grief therapist, dynamic speaker and educator, having taught several years at Whittier College and as a guest lecturer at the University of Southern California, UCLA and Keck Medical School. Here Julie describes how the death of a dear friend helped her learn one of life's most important lessons ~ that although death ends the life of a loved one, the relationship we have with that person doesn't end; it changes form. And if we pay close attention, reminders are everywhere.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Caregiving and Hospice, March 4 - March 10, 2018

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

I Am Dying From Terminal Cancer. Here's What It's Taught Me About Living. http://j.mp/2Fz1KtS « HuffPost

3 Critical Things to Know When Transitioning to Palliative Care, http://j.mp/2Fv2ccy « Visiting Angels

When Does Dying Begin? Palliative Care and the Declining Patient, http://j.mp/2Fx3cwJ « Articlesly

Understanding and Managing Grief, March 4 - March 10, 2018

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

Is it time to "get back to life"? Grief doesn't work that way.  http://j.mp/2G8nHAI « Refuge In Grief

How to Tell When Technology Makes Anxiety Worse, http://j.mp/2G6Q7eq « PsychCentral

Tips for Talking with Children about Addiction and Overdose Loss, http://j.mp/2Fu8hWl « Hey Sigmund

Coping with Pet Loss, March 4 - March 10, 2018

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

Coping With the Private Grief Millions of Us Experience (and Nobody Talks About), http://j.mp/2FyERX9 « Thrive Global

Saying Goodbye to Hedda, Part One: Facing the Possibility of Euthanasia, http://j.mp/2G6h5Dc « The Conscious Cat

Hospice Program Helps End-Of-Life Patients Keep Their Pets, http://j.mp/2FuZ93M « iHeartDogs.com

Monday, March 5, 2018

Coping with Traumatic Loss: Suggested Resources

[Reviewed and updated March 10, 2024]

There is a light within each of us that need never entirely go out. We can lose the battles, but not the war. We can go on when our minds tell us that there is no point in going on- because something deep inside tells us we can go on. And we do.  ~ A. Powell Davies

A colleague writes: I am wondering if you would send me your best recommendations for dealing with traumatic loss. If you know any activities or rituals that can help a person heal that would be helpful. A coworker is dealing with a traumatic event and has asked for some help. Thanks so much.

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Caregiving and Hospice, February 25 - March 3, 2018

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

From Palliative Care to Becoming a Hospicare Patient, http://j.mp/2FSgTYc « Hospicare

End of Life Conversations are Becoming End of Life Confrontations, http://j.mp/2F6Z7iq « The Caduceus Blog

A "stat" palliative care consult: cognitive dissonance meets cognitive ignorance, http://j.mp/2t9zsnQ « Kevin MD

Coping with Pet Loss, February 25 - March 3, 2018

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

The End-Of-Life Walk - Euthanasia or Natural Death, http://j.mp/2t9tAuV « The Pet Loss Center

The Pain of Loving Old Dogs, http://j.mp/2HLiboj « The New York Times

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.