Got Faith?

Posted on January 11, 2009 - by John Pete

WHAT IS FAITH, BY THE WAY? It’s a simple question, right? Maybe not… Faith can mean many things to many people, and whatever one’s personal beliefs, they should be respected as everyone’s journey is their own. This is reflected in our everyday life experiences, including grieving the loss of a loved one. And regardless of those beliefs, we all have the opportunity to comfort and support one another in the most important aspect of our lives – the here and the now. Most of us have an inner faith of some sort, including the strong conviction by some that there is nothing beyond this […]

Nine Steps to Self-Forgiveness

Posted on January 11, 2009 - by Fred Luskin

By Fred Luskin, PhD — 1. Know exactly how you feel about what you did. Be able to articulate the specific wrong you have committed and the harm it caused. Tell a couple of trusted people about your experience and about your feelings. 2. Understand forgiveness. Forgiveness enables you to feel at peace even though you did things you wished you had not. You do not have to reconcile with the person you have hurt and what you did may not be OK. Still you can make peace with yourself. 3. Self forgiveness can be defined as the recognition that […]

David Daniels: Hope Even in the Face of Despair

Posted on January 11, 2009 - by David Daniels

By David Daniels —

Strategies for Surviving Holidays and Special Days

Posted on January 10, 2009 - by Coralease Ruff

By Coralease Ruff — Many of us can exhale now that Christmas/Hanukah/Kwanzaa and other winter holidays have come and gone. Some have survived their first big holiday season since the death of their loved one. It is no surprise, however, that there are other special days coming that may be equally as difficult. During these times you may be hurting so badly that you have neither the interest nor the energy to do anything. Then don’t. If that is your wish, you should feel free to choose not to observe the holidays. On the other hand, it may be helpful […]

2009: A Year of Remembrance

Posted on January 9, 2009 - by Eric Tomei

Happy New Year everybody!   Now that the gorging, celebrating, and partying is over its time to focus on goals for 2009.   Not resolutions, but goals.   Resolutions are things that fade by the wayside after a week like many people going to the gym.   Goals are measurable, defined and most important reachable.   This has been the third holiday season after my father’s death.  I will tell you certain days of the year are not that much fun.   The start of the New Year is a day filled with happiness, hope, and most important remembering all […]

Poem: A Conversation With Grief

Posted on January 9, 2009 - by Bob Baugher

By Bob Baugher, Ph.D. —

Poem: My Life: Seven Years Later

Posted on January 8, 2009 - by Abel Keogh

November tenth is a day that creeps up on me now.

It wasn’t always this way.

In past years it was a day heavy with memories, emotions, and unanswered questions.

Now it’s a day just like any other.

This year it wasn’t until after lunch that I looked at the calendar in my office …

Trust That Hope is Inside

Posted on January 7, 2009 - by Doris Jeanette

By Doris Jeanette —

Another Year, Another Piece of the Grief Journey

Posted on January 7, 2009 - by Debra Reagan

By Debra Reagan — I was sitting at my desk and glanced at the new calendar hanging on the wall. Suddenly, I was hit with the overwhelming thought of another. My heart ached over the thought of another birthday for my deceased child, another anniversary date, and all the other holidays that would come around another time.  Many questions came to mind.  Had I not gone through the depths of grief? Had I not walked through the Valley of the Shadows? Was this not enough? How could I be expected to do more?? It struck me the New Year was […]

Woman Starts Grieving 12 Years After Mother’s Death

Posted on January 6, 2009 - by Pamela Gabbay

Cora writes in with this question: “I just started grieving about my mom this Christmas. She died in 1996. I thought about all the events and things we shared from age 6 to adult. It was like a series of flashbacks. I was in a depressed state for 4 days. Is that normal? Pamela Gabbay, certified bereavement counselor, responds: Dear Cora, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Whenever someone we love dies, we yearn for them and miss everything about them. We miss the sound of their voice, their touch, the smell of their hair, […]