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Secondary Loss with Grief

Posted on September 15, 2025 - by Linda Henderson

Navigating secondary losses “Grief does not change you, it reveals you.” John Greene When my daughter Andrea died, a part of me died. My world shattered in a moment, and I stood in the ruins, with no foundation. I did not know how to breathe and could not think of living in a world without her. Losing her was devastating, but unknown to me was that Grief was going to unravel like a ball of yarn to reveal so much more. As time passed, Grief kept showing up in unexpected ways. It wasn’t just the absence of Andrea that weighed […]

When a Parent is Ninety: Grieving the Loss of a Child

Posted on September 11, 2025 - by RichardEBristol

When a Parent is Ninety: Grieving the Loss of a ChildGrief has no expiration date. Whether you are thirty or ninety, the loss of a child shakes the soul. For a 90-year-old parent, this loss can feel especially disorienting — as if the natural order of life has been reversed. No matter how many years have passed, a parent never stops being a parent, and the heart never stops longing for the child it has loved.The Butterfly and the Empty BranchImagine a butterfly resting on a branch — delicate, vibrant, part of the garden’s beauty. It is late in the […]

Ten Ways to Support Grieving Parents Who Are Experiencing the Loss of a Child

Posted on September 11, 2025 - by Steven Williams, Ph.D.

Why This Topic Matters The death of a child is one of the most devastating and life-altering losses anyone can experience. For parents, it is not only the loss of a beloved son or daughter—it is the loss of future dreams, milestones, and a sense of identity that is often intertwined with being a parent. Friends and family often want to help but struggle to find the right words or actions. Missteps are common—not out of malice, but out of fear or lack of understanding. By identifying what parents who are grieving the loss of a child need most, we […]

The Healing Touch of Nature

Posted on August 11, 2025 - by Dolores Cruz

The Healing Touch of Nature In the immediate aftermath of the unimaginable loss of my 24-year-old son, Eric, from a car accident, I felt broken and lost. The pain in my chest and stomach were relentless and I had no appetite. My hands shook so much it was hard to write anything that was very legible. I was making my way through each day in a fog. My soul must have guided my body to keep doing what it does, one breath at a time, one step at a time. Some moments in the day I was stoic, other moments […]

The Sounds of Grief

Posted on August 11, 2025 - by Lindsey Whissel Fenton

The Sounds of Grief Since my mom died, I’ve been cataloguing the sounds of grief. So far, I’ve documented five. Sound I. My immediate, acute grief had a specific sound. You might recognize it. If you’ve ever balled up a soft object, buried your face in it, and screamed with all your might, this particular grief sound will carry a note of familiarity. I didn’t make it in time to say goodbye to my mom in the hospital room. So I said it later, while she lay on a slab in the morgue. When I got home, I walked […]

When It Feels Like You’ve Got Nothing Left

Posted on July 21, 2025 - by Greg Adams

“I’ve got nothing left.” Have you ever felt like that? If you have, you have lots of company. When someone who meant the world to you dies, it can feel like all the good in your world has died, too. It can feel like everything precious has been taken away, leaving you with empty arms and grasping hands. You can feel like there is nothing left. Well-meaning friends and family try to remind you otherwise: You still have people who love you. Maybe you still have your spouse or partner. You have your memories. Perhaps you have other kids. You […]

Overcoming Fear After Losing Son to Suicide

Posted on July 10, 2025 - by Jean Williams

Fear. Terror. Do these words describe your present state because of loss of a loved one? I know it did mine after our son, Joshua, died by suicide over six years ago. Do I still feel this way from time to time? Yes, but with God’s mercy, I passed through and out of the terror over Joshua being gone. Psalms 56:3 is fitting: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (KJV) Hard to practice living that verse? Of course, especially when you’ve lost a child. I walked around full of terror that first year after Joshua left […]

The Path Through Loneliness

Posted on July 7, 2025 - by Barbara Ann Fields

The Path Through Loneliness A plethora of emotions accompany the loss of a loved one. The dark shadow of loneliness, however, tends to hover longer, seemingly with no promise of an exit date. People grappling with grief often lament, “If only I could shake this loneliness, I believe things would turn around for me.” The unfortunate truth is that, although the pain of loss diminishes over time, the deceased, on some level, will always be missed. The void created by an individual’s absence cannot be filled by another because no two people are exactly alike. The death of a hospice […]

Grief is Not a Neat Package

Posted on July 7, 2025 - by Dr. Audrey Davidheiser

Grief is Not a Neat Package I hate grieving. There. I said it. A part of me did, actually. The part that abhors the tears I shed while writing this book. But I am not the only one with parts. Your soul comes prepackaged with them too. Have you noticed the maelstrom of reactions following your loss? Perhaps maintaining concentration has been hard, as your mind keeps slipping to memories of the deceased or fears about tomorrow. Your digestive system feels wonky. Reminders of your loss spur shame, guilt, perhaps even both. Maybe you avoid crying at all costs. These […]

How to Support Those Grieving

Posted on July 7, 2025 - by Hope Reger

The Limitations of “Let Me Know If You Need Anything” Phrases like “If you need anything, just ask” or “I’m here if you need me” are commonly offered after the loss of a loved one. While often well-intentioned, these words can serve more to relieve the speaker than to provide real help. In my five years running a nonprofit grief support program and listening to participants, I’ve learned that such offers rarely translate into meaningful support. People often say, “I offered to help, but I never heard back,” as though their responsibility ends with the offer. Why the Bereaved Struggle […]