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In Praise of Friendship: Maya Angelou and Mrs. Flowers

Posted on May 30, 2014 - by Linda Hunt

Sometimes gifted writers, like Maya Angelou, feel like a friend because they invite you into their heart and mind with such a generosity of spirit. It’s no wonder that millions around the world are grieving her death. Though we didn’t ‘know’ her, we came into her world through the 31 books, essays, plays and poetry that she so eloquently wrote. I loved introducing her writings with college students. In the cacophony of voices of praise for Angelou’s evocative writings and dramatic readings, I can imagine she might shout out, “WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! Please remember that a few very important people came […]

Maya Angelou’s Death: Navigating the Loss of a Favorite Writer

Posted on May 29, 2014 - by Marguerite OConnor

I have been positively imprinted by so many wonderful writers that I am also impacted when they die. When Frank McCourt died, my friends & I, all authors, each read excerpts from his books at a cherished, independently owned, local bookstore. I read from Angela’s Ashes. This was our way of paying tribute to Frank, acknowledging his contributions and marking a significant loss. Though I did not know him personally, his writing is part of his legacy and it was a gift to me. It makes sense that I felt like acknowledging the gift and his unique life in some […]

When a Mentor Dies

Posted on May 29, 2014 - by Shannon Harris

A special kind of pain is felt when your mentor’s time on earth is through. Whether the person is famous (like writer Maya Angelou) or a family member, the loss can throw you into a tailspin of sadness. Often times, when we are grieving a great teacher or guide, we are not only grieving the memories or moments that we’ve had with them but also what lessons they haven’t yet taught. It’s as if our personal GPS has lost its signal and we are suddenly lost. We keep showing up to class and there is no teacher. There is no […]

Death as Part of Who We Are

Posted on May 29, 2014 - by Kevin Quiles

We hear a lot about befriending unwanted parts of ourselves. So I wondered if this same language could be applied to our own awaiting destiny. After all like any part that makes up a whole, death is born with us and dies with us. It is an intricate part of who we are and has its own set of expressions. CDT (Conversing with Death Education & Therapy) states that within every person is an untouched unconscious that contains a death quality, a part if you will. This quality contains the voice of mystery and wisdom regarding death-and-dying. (The variation between […]

Maya Angelou’s Death: Grieving Someone You’ve Never Met

Posted on May 29, 2014 - by Gemini Adams

With the death of Maya Angelou this week, millions of her advocates and fans will be mourning the loss of an exceptional woman. This grief may, to some, seem misplaced. Because, when any public figure passes a wave of “grief judgment” often follows, from family members, the media, even friends. People question the validity of our grief: How can you grieve so heavily for someone whom you’ve never met? The relationship we have with our idols can be a complex one. Wrapped up in our adoration of the work they were able to accomplish we often find our own unfulfilled […]

The Beginning of the End: Death is Not Worst Outcome

Posted on May 29, 2014 - by Bernie Siegel

And we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten, but the love will have been enough. All those impulses of love return to the love that made them; even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love; the only survival the only meaning. — Thornton Wilder The best part of a good man never dies. You will see him in all the things here out of love and for love…The best part of a good man stays forever for love is immortal […]

Playwright Ann Randolph on Writing about Grief

Posted on May 28, 2014 - by Nancy Gershman, LMSW

How is a performance and a post-show creative writing workshop sparking a national discourse on grief? This and more when memory artist Nancy Gershman sits down with playwright and comedian, Ann Randolph to talk about her one-woman show, LOVELAND – and the transformative and healing power of writing about grief. Learn more about Randolph’s week-long “Write Your Life”workshops, by visiting Ann at www.AnnRandolph.com. “When you’re dead jokes” can be conversation starters Ashes exposed can bring strangers together With nothing left to lose, liberated behaviors surface Writing about grief in a group setting forms “community” Turn your inner critic into a character you can stand up to We […]

Learning How to Talk ‘Grief’

Posted on May 28, 2014 - by Harriet Hodgson

I’m a grief writer and know lots of grief words. After four loved ones died, however, I realized I had to learn more. Adding to my grief vocabulary helped me to understand research. New grief words and terms also helped me to understand my journey. Most important, these new words and terms helped me evaluate my grief. The National Cancer Institute, in a website article titled “Loss, Grief, and Bereavement,” defines some basic grief terms. Grief is defined as the normal process of reacting to loss. Bereavement is defined as the time after loss, a painful time of tears […]

Artist who Lost Mother Collaborates with Family Writings

Posted on May 27, 2014 - by Katherine Relf-Canas

In the San Francisco Bay Area with its forward-looking culture, we take notice of what’s new. We thirst for innovation. Bay Area artist Belinda Chlouber finds fascination and value in exploring and mining the past. I spoke with her in her San Mateo home studio about a recent series of multi-media work. Currently she has pieces that are part of a group show in San Mateo California art space Flywheel Press. Part of her recent body of work will be on exhibit at Oklahoma State University Museum of Art’s Postal Plaza Gallery in a one-woman show from June 16 – […]

Grief as a Backpack

Posted on May 27, 2014 - by Angela Miller

People seem to think the ache of missing our children would become more bearable over time. It doesn’t. In fact, some of my days now are more painful as the years go on, because I’m further and further since I last held my son safely in my arms. You’d think after all this time I’d be less caught off guard when I think of my son and I suddenly cannot breathe. I’m not. It doesn’t get easier to choke on air. It doesn’t get easier to live without a huge piece of your heart. Over time I think we learn […]