In Grief: A Priceless Gift Goes Unacknowledged

Often you think when you're rejected that you are not good enough, But the truth is they weren't ready for all you have to offer.  ~ Melchor Lim

A reader writes: My friend who died of cancer 14 months ago had been estranged from his family of origin the last year of his life. About 6 weeks before he died, they reached out to him, in the hope of reconciliation. Plans were made for a face-to-face meeting on neutral turf. Unfortunately, my friend began to physically deteriorate, and neither the meeting or the reconciliation took place.

Caregiving & Grief, March 1 - March 7, 2020

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

Connecting grieving young adults to other young adults who "get it" - The AMF App Is Here, https://j.mp/2TIgcrw «  HealGrief.org

I'm sorry to say when a family member is dying it can bring us together and be our finest hour as a family or it can bring out the worst in us and create resentments that last a very long time. MOM IS DYING and There's So Much Blame, https://j.mp/2PPA1fr « BK Books

Pet Loss: Sibling's Insensitivity Causes Family Discord

Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord.  ~ Plutarch

A reader writes: Two years ago my husband of 50 years died in his sleep, suddenly and unexpectedly. We have three grown children who live near our home, and for that, I am truly blessed. Our eldest son is single, our daughter is a single parent with a 16 year old son, and our younger son is married with two boys, ages 5 and 2. Both my husband and I were brought up in homes that never had pets and nobody ever asked for one. We raised our three children in homes with no pets and nobody ever asked to have a pet. So we do not know pet protocol and, of course, we’ve never experienced the death of a pet. 

In Grief: Brother's Dating Causes Family Conflict

[Reviewed and updated January 11, 2026]

Don't look at me in that tone of voice.  ~ Dorothy Parker

A reader writes: There is so much to this story that I could write a book on this but I will try to make it brief. One day last fall, my husband and I were awakened at 6 in the morning to learn that my husband's younger brother had been murdered by one of his employees. We are all in in several states away. Their father died 10 yrs ago of cancer, and besides their mother there are seven brothers and sisters in this family. This brother was the only one who lived far from home. He was 34 and for 15 years had been living with his girlfriend; together they had a son who is now 2 years old. Needless to say, the shock ,anger, denial and a range of emotions all set in, and no two family members reacted the same. For the past several months, the deceased brother's girlfriend and son have been down here for numerous visits. My husband's younger brother and this girlfriend have shocked all the family by starting a relationship, which has set off a new depression among several of the family members.

Caregiving and Hospice, February 19 - February 25, 2017

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

How Can Palliative Care Be Implemented in the ICU?  http://bit.ly/2lQdxg8 « SevenPonds Blog

Book Review: "Extreme Measures" by Jessica Nutik-Zitter, M.D., http://bit.ly/2lNmqY3 « SevenPonds Blog

Death Education Is Needed As Much As Sex Education, http://bit.ly/2lFFJ5c « A Good Goodbye