Voices of Experience: My Final Blog

The end of one chapter is just the beginning of another. Read on ... The best part is always yet to come. ~ Susan Gale

Michelle Midgett was 31 years old when she lost Joey, her husband of seven years and father of their four children. She writes that since her husband died she has learned a lot about herself and life. "I choose to keep fighting and my goal is to help others find that fire inside them and keep moving." The following essay appeared originally on the Soaring Spirits International blog, and is reprinted here with Michelle's permission.

Caregiving and Hospice, October 8 - October 14, 2017

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

Palliative Care at the Vatican, http://j.mp/2yiQaCd « HuffPost

What the Dying Need from Us, http://j.mp/2ylwYnv « Hospicare

How I Encouraged My Dad to Start Hospice 'Early,' http://j.mp/2yjUd0S « Life Matters Media

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, October 8 - October 14, 2017

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

In grief: A Glimmer of Hope, http://j.mp/2ghEPf9 « HuffPost

What *should* you say when someone dies? http://j.mp/2ggveVK « Refuge In Grief

7 Years Later, http://j.mp/2fWHQxD « The Grief Toolbox

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, October 8 - October 14, 2017

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

Grieving for a pet can take many forms and duration can vary, vet says, http://j.mp/2gf1t7U « Kansas State University

I've been there: Pet grief support comes to Philly, http://bit.ly/2yj0xG3 « Philadelphia Inquirer

Pet grief: When you lose your most faithful friend, http://j.mp/2ga6Jtd « Daily Mail Online

Loving A Pet Too Much: When Bonding May Be Unhealthy

Find the latest version of this post here:

Too Attached to A Pet? When Bonding May Be Unhealthy

A reader writes: In my opinion there are just too many people around the world who love their pets more than they love people. Do you have any more detailed information\articles outlining signs of unhealthy relationships with pets? Or maybe you can point me in the right direction.

Caregiving and Hospice, October 1 - October 7, 2017

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

NHPCO Report: Hospice patients with short period of service continues to be a concern, http://j.mp/2fQeCjQ « Markets Insider

Book Review: "Life After the Diagnosis" by Dr. Steven Z. Pantilat, http://j.mp/2fO9TyY « Seven Ponds Blog

Stunning Poem on Living with Depression: "Having It Out with Melancholy," http://j.mp/2hHjsE7 « Brain Pickings

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, October 1 - October 7, 2017

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

Resources for emotional trauma support for you and people you love, http://j.mp/2fR0CGx « Danielle Laporte

Megan Devine Interview: The Howl at the Center of Grief, http://j.mp/2hQHE73 « Audio Boom

Dogs Comfort The Bereaved in Funeral Homes, http://j.mp/2fL2KzK « Seven Ponds Blog

In Grief: Infant’s Death Threatens A Marriage

[Reviewed and updated November 3, 2019]

New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.  ~ Lao Tzu

A reader writes: My wife and I just lost our daughter. She was only 26 days old at the time. I was stationed overseas the whole time, but was home for the death. My wife and I got married shortly after our daughter’s death. Then I returned to Afghanistan to finish my tour. My wife now wants an annulment on our marriage and has moved to a different city. She still says she wants a relationship with me, just wants us to start over. Is this normal behavior?

Caregiving and Hospice, September 24 - September 30, 2017

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

Don't let new Nurse Ratched show be an American Horror Story for real nurses! http://j.mp/2fyJqpe « Change.org

Physicians have the power to save our health care system, http://j.mp/2fyrX0e « Kevin MD

Five Years Sober, http://j.mp/2fwF7L4 « Musings of a Distractible Mind

Understanding and Managing Grief, September 24 - September 30

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

Living in the Shadow of a Child’s Death, http://j.mp/2fzDw78 « Alive in Memory

Why it's OK to use social media to mourn, http://j.mp/2hzq04e « Mashable

Widowhood: The Club Nobody Wants to Join, http://j.mp/2hsgrrp « HuffPost