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First Thanksgiving After a Death is Challenging

Posted on November 20, 2012 - by Anne Berenberg

One night in the April that they were 4 and 9, my two sons were tucked into their beds by their loving young father, Richard. That was to be the last time they saw him. The next morning, they woke up to learn that he was dead from a heart attack. Our world had shattered overnight. The boys cried in pain and bewilderment—and so did I. Over the next months, I struggled to find what pieces of our lives could stay the same, what could be there in altered form, what could now only be held in memory, and what […]

This Puzzle Called Life by Laurel D. Rund

Posted on November 18, 2012 - by Laurel D. Rund

I was working my way through my own personal puzzle in 2010. It was a transformative time, as I moved through grief into an appreciation for my newly reshaped life and spirit. I sat down and wrote a poem “This Puzzle Called Life.” It is included in my book “Emerging Voices.“ For me, it was about letting go of fear and finding my creative voice. The poem still inspires me today. “LDR” equals Laurel Diane Rund saying “YES” to life! That’s my Essence talking about the here and now. This Puzzle Called Life Pieced together throughout the years, the […]

Tips for Those Who are Grieving

Posted on November 17, 2012 - by Katherine Ingram

November is the month of gratitude, and so I wish to express my love and gratitude for my companion and teacher, Bentley, who died in my arms October 2nd. Bentley was a Lhasa Apso who came to me at a profoundly difficult time in my life and journeyed with me through an amazing thirteen years. I’m no stranger to grief: I lost father, brother, husband, stepfather, uncle, grandparents, friends and pets all by the age of 32. But Bentley’s passing reminded me yet again of just how difficult grief is. What makes it worse is that there is no social […]

Facing the Holidays When You’ve Lost a Loved One

Posted on November 16, 2012 - by Judith Johnson

If you have recently lost a loved one with whom you would otherwise be sharing this holiday season, you might be finding yourself wanting to burrow under your covers with a box of tissues until the holidays have passed. If this sounds like you, it’s time for some T.L.C. I don’t believe we should ever push down our emotions, though social conventions might make it advisable to develop strategies for dealing with these challenges privately or having a dear and trusted friend bear witness to what we are feeling. Remember that even at their best, holidays can be stressful. So, […]

Seeing the Beauty of Life in the Wake of Death

Posted on November 14, 2012 - by Brandi Reyna

Often as we are grieving, it is difficult to see the beauty that is left in our lives. For many who are grieving in the first year or two after loss, it is so difficult to see past the grief, the pain, the loss and to actually see life, the life that is still here waiting to be lived and the beauty that comes with each day. We are so caught up in the grief we are experiencing as a result of our loss that that is often what we see, what we live, what we feel; and the joy and […]

Who Will We Be In Our Grief?

Posted on November 12, 2012 - by Marcia Gaddis

I start thinking about Thanksgiving on the first day of November. Who will be at my table and what delicious foods will be served. But yesterday was All Saints Sunday. We remembered those we love who have left this life in the past year. Their names were called as a candle was lit and the bell tolled. We remembered all of those people who have gone on in the past, giving thanks for their lives and their impact on our lives of faith. It is a day of remembrance. It is a day of hope. We face the future without […]

Does the Stigma of Mental Illness Still Exist?

Posted on November 11, 2012 - by Madeline Sharples

A few months ago, my cousin came to our house to review and discuss the family history my husband had been writing. After reviewing the material, he made one request – leave out the part about his father’s bipolar disorder. In fact he didn’t want to see any discussion of any of the mental illness that permeates my side of our family. That was proof enough for me that the stigma of mental illness still exists. Although my husband did not mention our family’s mental illness in the history, I openly discussed my grandmother’s, uncle’s, and mother’s mental illness in […]

A Guide to Helping Others Who are Grieving

Posted on November 10, 2012 - by Katherine Ingram

Honoring Our Veterans: A Discovery of Inner Peace

Posted on November 10, 2012 - by Jane Simington

In countries around the world, every November 11, citizens stop and ponder the freedom they experience as a result of the sacrifices made by those who have served their country in the maintenance of peace and liberty. November 11th honors all living and dead Veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve, and often despite great personal costs. In Canada, the day of honoring our veterans is known as Remembrance Day; in the United States it is Veterans Day. In many other countries this day is referred to as Armistice, for it marks the anniversary of the signing of the […]

How To Find A Good Mental Health Counselor

Posted on November 8, 2012 - by Stan Popovich

Many people have a difficult time in finding an effective mental health counselor. Just like everything in life, you have your good counselors and you have your not so great counselors. The key is to find one that will help you solve your current mental health problems. If you do not know what you are looking for or where to start, then here are a few ideas in how to find a good mental health counselor. 1. Talk To Your Doctor Or Primary Care Physician Your medical or family doctor is a great source in finding a good counselor. Explain […]