A reader writes: Since my husband was retired on permanent disability, he took over the shopping and cooking many years ago. Now mind you I do know how to cook, but when I cooked it was for two adults and two children.
In Grief: Cooking for One and Eating Alone
Understanding and Managing Grief & Pet Loss, November 20 - November 26, 2022
Anyone who has loved an animal companion knows losing a pet hurts. Every relationship we forge with an animal is unique, and they become tightly woven into our existence. To lose such a friend is not just to have sudden hole where they used to be. There are constant reminders of time spent together, threads in the tapestry of daily life left ragged and loose. Profound grief for a pet is normal « Medical Press
In Grief: Thanksgiving Blessings
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. ~ Meister Eckhart
Throughout this season of gifting and giving thanks, please know that I am deeply grateful for those of you who continue looking to this blog for the information, comfort and support you need and deserve. It is my fondest wish that here you'll find some of what you are seeking. Blessings to you all, and from my heart to yours, thank you! ~ Marty TUnderstanding and Managing Grief, November 13 - November 19, 2022
The definition of paying it forward in grief can vary significantly. But it all comes down to one basic idea: you use what you’ve learned during your experience with grief to help others. It provides new meaning and purpose to your shattered life. Paying It Forward in Grief « Alive in Memory
Voices of Experience: Are You Still Mine?
One of the most effective ways to help children understand normal grief reactions ~ their own and that of the people around them ~ is to tell them a story, or you can read together one of the many wonderful children's books now available on loss, dying, death and grief. ~ Marty Tousley
Former children’s book editor Jayne Pillemer has penned a moving story to help kids work through feelings of grief. In the wake of COVID-19 and with school shootings at a record high in the U.S. according to the National Center for Education Statistics, thoughtful books like Pillemer’s are an essential balm to the soul, nurturing hope in grieving hearts.
In “Still Mine,” Pillemer’s lyrical writing and Sheryl Murray’s sweet illustrations offer gentle comfort and reassurance to anyone who has experienced loss that you still carry those you love with you in the smallest things—and in your heart—forever.
Understanding and Managing Grief, November 6 - November 12, 2022
More than a million Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19, leading to what some have called a second epidemic of grief. Lockdowns and other factors meant that many people couldn’t process their losses in normal ways with funerals and other gatherings. Prolonged and unaddressed grief can lead to significant mental health problems. Rep. Joe Morelle (D-New York) introduced the Grief Resilience Investment and Education Fund (GRIEF) Act to help combat some of these issues, especially in marginalized communities. Better Support for Grieving Americans « Home Care
Coping with The Holidays: Suggested Resources, 2022
[Updated December 31, 2022]
The holiest of holidays are those kept by ourselves in silence and apart; the secret anniversaries of the heart. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Once again the holiday season is upon us, and for those of us anticipating or coping with the loss of someone dearly loved, the days ahead can be extremely difficult. Triggers are everywhere, stoking memories and reminding us of all we have lost. That is why many community agencies offer programs to assist the bereaved, especially at this time of year. Your local hospice, mortuary or healthcare organization will have information about whatever special offerings and services are available to you in your community. In addition, the Internet abounds with all sorts of articles, books and tips that offer creative and practical ways to cope with the holidays.Understanding and Managing Grief, October 23 - November 5, 2022
When I lost my husband to brain cancer, I learned there is no road map for grief. A guide to dealing with grief as a widow « The Washington Post
Anderson Cooper takes us on a deeply personal exploration of loss and grief. He starts recording while packing up the apartment of his late mother Gloria Vanderbilt. Going through her journals and keepsakes, as well as things left behind by his father and brother, Cooper begins a series of emotional and moving conversations about the people we lose, the things they leave behind, and how to live on - with loss, with laughter, and with love. All There Is with Anderson Cooper « CNN Audio
In Grief: Helpful Tips on Writing an Obituary
May our obituaries someday say--preferably after we're dead, of course--that we lived in peace, in love, and mostly in grace. ~ Jaime Jo Wright
As noted in an earlier post, an obituary includes both public and private facts that celebrate a person’s life and engagement in the community.
If you're ever faced with the task of writing and submitting an obituary for publication in a newspaper or online, you may find these suggestions helpful:
In Grief: On Writing An Obituary
Obituaries are just like biographies, only shorter. They remind us that interesting, successful people rarely lead orderly, linear lives. ~ Charles Wheelan
When is the best time to write an obituary?
It is not necessary to wait until a person has died to begin writing an obituary. People can be interviewed before death about what they want included in their obituary – and each of us can begin right now to write our own life story. The obituary may be the only account that will ever be written about us, and this is our chance to tell others exactly what we want them to know and remember about us. Once written, it can motivate us to continue living an interesting and meaningful life – and inspire us live up to what we’ve written about ourselves. It certainly is a thoughtful gesture that can spare our family and friends from having yet another task to complete (under a newspaper’s deadline) during what will be a sad and difficult time. And it can be a priceless gift to future generations. If you do decide to write your own obituary, make certain that you keep it updated and readily accessible, and let your next of kin know where to find it.
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