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Falling in Love Again after Pet-Loss

Posted on April 15, 2011 - by Bonnie Goodman

My beloved first golden retriever died in July 2005, The anticipated and then excruciating pain of his loss lingered for months on end, tears flowed uncontrollably and a growing yearning for that furry connection permeated my soul. I swore to never get another dog again, as I couldn’t tolerate yet another heart wrenching “letting go.” But, a nagging question lingered: Could I continue my life without a dog? This was a terrible dilemma, as I felt a nagging emptiness without a dog to nurture. Yet the void grew wider with each passing day and my desire never ceased, I was […]

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Prayer Registry Builds Hope and Community

Posted on April 15, 2011 - by Sheri Perl

My son Danny passed on July 1, 2008, from an overdose of alcohol and prescription drugs. He was 22 years old, a beautiful mountain of a kid with his whole life ahead of him, gone in an instant due to an error in judgment. The day after he passed, while lying in bed not knowing what to do with myself, I sent out a mass email to everyone in my email address book, stating briefly that my son Dan had passed of an overdose and I asked everyone to please send him a prayer. It was kind of an instinctual […]

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Grounding Techniques to Deal with Panic Attacks

Posted on April 14, 2011 - by Kim Go

DISCLOSURE: I am not a therapist or trained medical professional. If your want to use this technique, you can consult with your expert therapist or doctor. Most average people can address an impending panic attack with tools and knowledge to reduce the likelihood of slipping into a state of panic, flashback or dissociation. I want to introduce you to a “grounding technique.” The idea behind a grounding technique: As the name implies, “grounding” is a way to “ground” you in the present moment. In doing so, you can retain your connection with the present moment and environment. General Instructions: You […]

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We Can’t Get Through Grief with Logic

Posted on April 13, 2011 - by Vicky Bates

Time heals what reason cannot. — Seneca We think in terms of time and much is said about it after a loss. “He was so young to run out of time.” “Her time was up way to soon.” “He was with them such a short time.” People ask how much time does it take for the pain to be over? When will it ease? How long does it take to feel normal again? This is the thing about death, the nut of the nut, as a poet once wrote. You will never get over the loss of a child with […]

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the letter

Posted on April 12, 2011 - by admin

Saturday was a good day. We had company show up from out of town. I was very busy working on tax returns (I am a CPA working from home), but they were a welcome treat. Our new adopted “home town” had several celebrations going on and we took in all the festivities. We came home late and tired. There was a card in the mailbox requesting someone to come to the post office and pick up a certified letter. My husband seemed concerned, but I assured him it was probably from a tax client sending me a forgotten form. He […]

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I cant console the loss of my wife

Posted on April 12, 2011 - by admin

It is now 8 months since I lost my Darling wife of 36 years and I cry more than I have ever done before(she was 56 years of age when she died after fighting cancer for 2.5 yrs).For me there will never be “closure” I am so scared for her that perhaps after this life there is no better place I feel angry that this beautiful person had to die.Even though I have children and grandchildren who are precious to me and help fill some of the void, I do feel lonely and somehow like a lesser being, my darling […]

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The Comfort of a Red Cardinal in Wintertime

Posted on April 12, 2011 - by Harriet Hodgson

Losing four family members within nine months has been, and continues to be, the most challenging experience of my life.  My daughter and father-in-law died the same weekend.  Several months later, my brother died and several months after that, my former son-in-law died.  The grief of multiple losses was so painful I could barely move or think. Of all the deaths, my daughter’s death was the most painful.  Family members and friends rallied to help us, but my husband and I knew recovery was up to us.  We also knew we had to confront the pain of loss.  For weeks, […]

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How Am I Doing? Look at My Toes

Posted on April 11, 2011 - by Catherine Tidd

Don’t judge me when I say this … but I could easily get addicted to pedicures. Now, for you men who are reading this, this is not just a girl thing.  Any guy who has had a pedicure before will tell you he’ll be back for more.  And any woman will tell you, we wish you would get them more often. That sound of Velcro as your heels hit the sheets is not as endearing as you might think. Before my husband died, I had had one pedicure in my entire life.  I am usually not embarrassed to say that […]

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Great Aunt Waits for God

Posted on April 10, 2011 - by Lizzy Miles

My Great Aunt Alice was a pretty healthy 87 years old.  She was spunky.  I really thought I’d be submitting her picture to the Today show for the Smuckers jar profile when she turned 100. Then one a rainy day in April, I received the dreaded phone call.  Aunt Alice had a sudden brain aneurysm and went into a coma. When I went to visit her, she wasn’t well. Her breathing was labored, and the family knew it was close to the end. Her brother, sister and a couple of my cousins were there.   We were her closest relatives as  […]

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The Greatest Lesson Grief has Taught Me

Posted on April 9, 2011 - by Jane Simington

On March 18, 2011, I was honored with the Woman of Vision Award presented by Global Edmonton Television.  At the luncheon, I was asked to speak for two minutes on the greatest lesson my grief had taught me. Many who were not present have asked if I would share my response. I am pleased and honored to do so. In a nutshell, the greatest lesson my journey through grief to healing and wholeness has taught me is the meaning of gratitude. Moving through the loss of my son Billy was extremely painful. It seemed like such an uphill climb. But […]

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