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Living and Telling Your Own Story

Posted on May 30, 2020 - by Fran Gerstein

This is an excerpt from Grief From the Inside Out: Creating Meaning Around the Loss of a Child from Substance Abuse or Suicide, By Fran Gerstein, MSW, LCSW. It is available through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999563513/ GPS When I lost my child a small, quavering voice appeared— not quite mine, not quite not mine. It announced, through static, that I was being rerouted. I tried to follow the orange signs marked Detour but they led me to the edge of a cliff. Still trusting and obedient, I drove right off. When I regained consciousness, I lay there for months […]

Join Us for an International Day of Coping with Grief Event

Posted on May 29, 2020 - by Gloria Horsley

Today, on our Facebook Live discussion, Heidi and I talked about how to cope with the fact that all of the upcoming bereavement conferences have been cancelled due to the shelter-in-place mandates and the ongoing need to maintain a certain physical distance. In-Person Bereavement Conferences Cancelled We’re all sad that all the summer in-person bereavement conferences have been cancelled. This is the season for so many of them. It’s a time we all look forward to so we can connect with old friends, make new friends, and get hope from the hope and healing that’s part of the conference panels, […]

Do’s and Don’ts of Self-Care After the Loss of a Child

Posted on May 25, 2020 - by Fran Gerstein

This is an excerpt from Grief From the Inside Out: Creating Meaning Around the Loss of a Child from Substance Abuse or Suicide, By Fran Gerstein, MSW, LCSW. It is available through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999563513/ Do remind yourself that you are important Losing a child makes you feel empty and challenges your sense of purpose, especially if you have identified yourself first and foremost as a parent. Chances are there are many other people who need you, and things you have yet to accomplish. As you grieve, you must also focus on these future goals and keep them in mind. […]

No One Knows When Coronavirus Goes Away, But Don’t Lose Hope!

Posted on May 25, 2020 - by Jackie Keibler

As you know, the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has now spread to every continent. Watching a video clip of people in Wuhan where the epidemic vented, shouting “Wuhan fighting” together through my window, I was startled. In a certain aspect, besides the drastic prevention measures of experts, the preparation of mothers and wives in the purchase of food, medical supplies to protect family health, encouraging each other to keep the optimistic hope is also a way for people to fight this terrible pandemic. This story reminds me of a famous literary work of O. Henry. In the story “The Last Leaf”, […]

The Survival Instinct vs. Grief

Posted on May 25, 2020 - by Basia Mosinski

This excerpt is from LOST to FOUND: Surviving the Death of Your Child by Basia Mosinski. It is available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1720222657 The survival instinct is strong but not stronger than grief. Many people in grief battle every day between holding on and letting go. The world feels like a crazy place. For a while it feels as though time is moving in slow motion while our minds are racing. Synchronicity grabbed my attention because it was the one thing that helped me feel connected to the eternal part of my being. If I could connect with that part of me, I could […]

Widowing and Social Distancing: Tips for Staying Connected

Posted on May 25, 2020 - by Kerry Phillips

Widowhood is already isolating, and now with social distancing, it can be an even lonelier existence. Here are a few tips to stay active, engaged, and connected: Remember this too shall pass – Though it might get worst before it gets better, know we will get to a place where the coronavirus can be managed. Try taking things day by day, and when necessary, turn off the news. Find your tribe – With so many of us now confined to our homes, it’s the perfect time to find the support group that works for you. There’s a group for every […]

‘Speaking Grief’

Posted on May 25, 2020 - by Elizabeth Brady

On Tuesday, May 5, Speaking Grief aired on WPSU and other public television stations across the country. The aim of the documentary is to “create a more grief-aware society by validating the experience of grievers and helping to guide those who wish to support them.” It seems an opportune time to reach out, to speak into the collective loss we are experiencing. But, like all of the transformational experiences in our lives: marriage, parenting, aging, illness, injury, divorce, and death; grief is at once collective and yet distinctly personal. And, perhaps it is this ambiguous space, this collective and yet […]

Bereavement Struggles During COVID-19

Posted on May 22, 2020 - by Gloria Horsley

As we know, we are experiencing life and death during unprecedented times. That means that all the things we did do to address bereavement and loss aren’t possible right now. The result is that we feel disappointed and lost. And, we might still in disbelief that our loss even happened. Today, on our Facebook Live discussion, Heidi and I are joined by Dr. Gale Larson. He is a Professor of Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University as well as noted author and speaker. Gale shares many insights into the bereavement struggles that many of us may experience now. He also […]

My Loved One Died and the Grief Hurts

Posted on May 13, 2020 - by Larry Patten

This is an excerpt from Larry Patten’s A Companion for the Hospice Journey which is available on Amazon or though his website Hospice Matters. He has died. She has died. You are numb. You can’t concentrate. You can’t imagine eating again or you graze junk food throughout the day. You can’t sleep, always feeling tired. Or you sleep too much, but can’t shake the never-ending exhaustion. Friends express kind words, though you barely comprehend anything said. Of course, there are others who say oddly hurtful words. Their clichés become arrows piercing your heart. (If God needed another angel or […]

Happiness After Loss is a Choice

Posted on May 11, 2020 - by Gloria Horsley

Are you afraid you will never be happy again after experiencing a loss? Many people feel that way after losing a loved one or they feel guilty at the thought of pondering their happiness. Today, on our Facebook Live discussion, Heidi and I are joined by Chelsea Hanson, a grief expert and educator experienced with significant loss, including her parents, two babies, and her Father-in-Law. She is the author of “The Sudden Loss Survival Guide” and “Shine On: Healing Tools to Inspire and Empower You to Live Life.” Chelsea is also the Founder of With Sympathy Gifts and Keepsakes, which […]