Understanding and Managing Grief, December 16 - December 22, 2018

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

Christmas Eve Luminarias: A New Mexico Tradition, http://j.mp/2BC2rS2 « A Good Goodbye

Introducing the We Remember Memorialization Service, http://j.mp/2BxtvBZ « A Good Goodbye

Coping with The Holidays: Suggested Resources 2018, http://bit.ly/2AMA8Br « Grief Healing

Understanding and Managing Grief, January 8 - January 14, 2017

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

Grief's Coloring Book, http://bit.ly/2jECcA2 « Widower's Grief

Understanding Rubin's 2-Track Model of Bereavement, http://bit.ly/2ikXRvQ « What's Your Grief?

Caring for a Loved One: The Letter Every Caregiver Should Write, http://bit.ly/2iGfuHL« Grief In Common

Caregiving and Hospice, September 21 - September 27, 2014

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

A Twisted Argument Against End-of-Life Care, http://j.mp/1vnSwVw « Kevin MD

New Chat and Forum for Caregivers, http://j.mp/1qEDyGj « CareGiving.com

The Dual Process Model of Grief, http://j.mp/1slPwfk « What's Your Grief?

Understanding and Managing Grief, July 27 - August 2, 2014

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

Child Loss: Finding Support on Your Grief Journey, http://j.mp/1lmTVGu « Ezine Articles

What is Aromatherapy? Interview with Marika Fleri of Aroma Treasures, http://j.mp/1rVN1f6 « Seven Ponds Blog

Bibliotherapy: When books are prescribed to heal the mind, http://j.mp/1pNxk6Y « The Boston Globe

Resources for Young Widow(er)s

[Reviewed and updated October 24, 2023]

There’s a tendency to picture widowhood as a consequence of old age, yet about one-third of widows lose their spouse before age 45. Widowhood is not something young women are prepared for, and they suffer post-traumatic stress disorder to some degree. ~ Gwen Peterson, president of Hope for Widows

A reader writes: Next month on the 8th it will have been two years since my husband died and I have to admit it still hurts horribly. I don't feel crazy anymore and I guess it is a bit less sharp...but it still hurts every day. I still cry at every anniversary and holiday. I still need to sleep with his shirt at night and I still ache for just one more hug. Will this ever stop hurting? I am 36 years old and I miss being in a relationship. Sometimes I think about dating again in the future, but I still feel like my husband's wife and the thought of loving another man feels so alien. Next week he will have been dead longer than we were together.

Caregiving and Hospice, January 12 - January 18, 2014

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

3 Services for the Elderly Who Need Help at Home, http://j.mp/1hz5DNU « The CareGiver Partnership

The Best Conversation to Have With Your Kids NOW So You Don't Put Strain on Them Later,  http://j.mp/1awsCE6 « The Caregiver Space

Top 6 Blogs for Caregivers (Aging Parents Edition), http://j.mp/1mhRxDu « The Caregiver Space

Understanding and Managing Grief, July 14 - July 20, 2013

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

Beautiful video, "The Coffinmaker" Crafting a Final Resting Place, http://bit.ly/12VolFd « On Being with Krista Tippett

Grieving the Loss of a Loved One: Beautiful Music to Comfort During Grief, http://j.mp/12PfVnB « Candle in the Window

Welcome to Hospice of the Valley’s Online Grief Discussion Forums, http://j.mp/18sQFb2 « Hospice of the Valley

Rando's Six R Processes of Mourning explained, http://j.mp/18oKe5t « What's Your Grief?

Tips for Coping with Anniversary Reactions in Grief,  http://j.mp/K58AGL « Grief Healing Blog

Thoughts Of Suicide in Grief

Find an updated version of this post here:

In Grief: Struggling with Thoughts of Suicide

A reader writes: My beloved died earlier this month, and I can't stop thinking about ending this hell. I know I should stay here for my kids - they don't deserve to lose yet another parent and would be devastated. But I can't see going on like this. Even for one more week. It's just impossible. I'm on antidepressants and sedatives, but I still feel frantic with pain, grief and loneliness. Is this normal? Will I make it? Should I even make it? Or would it be easier to just quit now? I can't even bring myself to pick up the phone and talk to anyone.

Understanding and Managing Grief, October 28 - November 3, 2012

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

• Free for bereaved families, 8-9 pm EST Wednesday, November 7, 2012 on Handling the Holidays. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/TCFWebinars, from @AliceaMom via @tcfofusa
  
  
• For anyone grieving or helping their kids through grief, http://wp.me/p1Eh1s-RX
  
  
• Updated: Tips for Coping with Sleeplessness in Grief, http://j.mp/hkoXnZ « Grief Healing Blog
  
  
• Helpful! Daily Requirements for Coping With the Death of a Loved One, http://j.mp/SfAAIK
  
  
• Light Up A Life will be on Sunday, November 18 at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix AZ, http://j.mp/SskTPi

Voices of Experience: Grief and Depression: Are They Different?

Photo by Lauren Cottrell

Elaine Mansfield’s husband died in 2008 after two years of illness. Since his death, Elaine has become a bereavement volunteer at Hospicare and Palliative Services of Tompkins County in Ithaca, New York. She writes for the Hospicare website and e-newsletter, and facilitates bereavement support groups for women who have lost their spouses or partners. The post below originally appeared on Elaine's blog on May 14, 2012, and is reprinted here with her permission.

It’s hard to distinguish between grief and depression. When does one slide into the other? Who gets to choose the labels anyway?

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 27-June 2, 2012

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

• Best friend’s death leads 10-year-old to write touching essay, http://bit.ly/KlhwtP via @_lizzy_
  
  
• Children, Grief and Loss, http://bit.ly/e9mIfK by @DownSynAdvocacy
  
  
• Grief and Children with Special Needs, http://bit.ly/sZtiaj by@DownSynAdvocacy
  
  
• Excellent! Helping Kids Cope with the Suicide of a Parent, http://bit.ly/NlVu7O by @Kidlutions
  
  
• You are cordially invited to follow Grief Healing's Grief Board on Pinterest ~ lots of useful information! http://j.mp/JSaje4

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 20 - May 26, 2012

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

• Delayed Grief and The Aftermath Of Loss, http://j.mp/Khgwoe
  
  
• When Doctors Grieve, http://j.mp/KhghJR via @swhitbo
  
  
• Powerful Video: 3 Mothers on Losing a Child and How A Support Group Can Help, http://j.mp/JLK1uj via @HopefulMJ
  
  
• Helping Bereaved Youth Successfully Navigate Through the Grief Process, http://j.mp/JLN1Xv via @TraumaReport
  
  
• Amazing: Keeping A Father's Memory Alive, http://j.mp/KP1JT2  | Maria Shriver

Understanding and Managing Grief, April 8 - April 14, 2012

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

• Maureen Hunter: If This Is You, You're Normal, http://j.mp/HGegr1
  
  
• Grief: Listening To My Anger, http://j.mp/HGdudv
  
  
• Truly amazing story, turning the tragedy of a child's death into a mission of education and hope, http://on.fb.me/Inydzf via @TheGriefToolbox
  
  
• Beautiful poem from Jane Yolen, http://bit.ly/Jdfyo8 via @mbquilts
  
  
• 3 Things to Do When You Are Feeling Low, http://j.mp/IumdPp

Caregiving and Hospice, January 8 - January 14, 2012

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

• Saying no to your oncologist is sometimes the right thing to do, http://bit.ly/rEBuYY RT @AlithiaCarol
  
  
• On what is really important in life, http://awe.sm/5dR2O by@LiaLondon1RT via @ShelleyWebbRN
  
  
• Helping employees with caregiving, http://bit.ly/AysrIm
  
  
• Some companies are doing it right! via @ShelleyWebbRN
  
  
• Preparing Your Home For Alzheimers Caregiving, http://bit.ly/AFaiVD via @ClickForFitness

Understanding and Managing Grief, December 4 - December 10, 2011

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

• In this touching video, a widow eulogizes her "beautifully imperfect" husband, http://j.mp/vCvmdb
  
  
• Grief: Counting the Days, Weeks, Months « Bertram's Blog, j.mp/skCTs7
  
  
• When There Is No Jingle In The Bells - Grief Healing Discussion Groups, http://j.mp/v5OWVE
  
  
• Blogs (and Books) for Bereaved Parents http://j.mp/v577pf
  
  
• Understanding Secondary Losses In Grief - Grief Healing Discussion Groups, http://j.mp/sfnbWR

Caregiving and Hospice, July 24 - July 30, 2011

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

• When a Person With Alzheimer's Eats - Tips to make it easier, http://ow.ly/5QDB1 via @VillageMemorial

• Connect with peers and social workers via discussion boards, Skype and chat, http://bit.ly/la7rCx by @alzfdn

• List of caregivng blogs at The CareGiver Partnership, http://ow.ly/5QkUc via @CaregiverTweets

• Dementia diagnosis affects the entire family, http://ow.ly/5PSzD via @ctffox @villagememorial

• How to get access to loved one's health records, http://aarp.us/pe72ax by @AARP

Hospice and Caregiving, March 13 - March 19

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

• How To Live Life Knowing You're Going To Die, http://huff.to/f6kyw9 via @huffingtonpost

• YES! WE must educate public and govmnt on end-of-life care! http://bit.ly/faY9K9 via @hospicepharmacy

• Dispelling the Myths about Hospice, http://bit.ly/fE3mns by @wpahospitalnews via @SolariHospice

• Beautiful video! Hospice helps care for dying sister, http://youtu.be/76PuDqZwPyA by @TCHospice

• Personal and touching: Grief Reflection Hits Home, http://conta.cc/gXhV3l by @StoryForHealing @survivegrief