Bereavement, Death of a Parent, Open to Hope, Self Care, Special Topics, Your Grief

Father’s Day After Loss: 8 Ways to Cope When the Holiday Hurts

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Father’s Day after loss can feel like a long, loud reminder of everything you no longer have. Whether you’re grieving your dad, your child, your partner, or another father figure, here are 8 compassionate, therapist-tested ways to cope with grief on Father’s Day, honor the man you loved, and find a quiet thread of hope on a tender day.

Bereavement, Military, Open to Hope, Self Care, Special Topics, Your Grief

Memorial Day After Loss: How to Honor Your Loved One Without Being Overwhelmed

Monday, May 25, 2026

Memorial Day is meant to be a day of remembrance, but for those who are actively grieving, the holiday can feel like an emotional ambush. Here’s how to cope with grief on Memorial Day, honor the loved one you lost, and protect your own heart on a day designed for remembering.

Bereavement, Death of a Child, Death of a Parent, Death of a Sibling, Open to Hope, Self Care, Special Topics, Your Grief

Mother’s Day After Loss: 9 Compassionate Ways to Cope with Grief on a Tender Holiday

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Mother’s Day after loss can feel like an emotional minefield. Whether you’re grieving your mother, a child, a sibling, or anyone you love, here are 9 compassionate, therapist-tested ways to cope with grief on Mother’s Day, honor your person, and find a quiet thread of hope on a tender holiday.

Death of a Child, Death of a Parent

Missing Mom On Mother’s Day

I’ll be honest…I’ve been struggling what to say and write today. It’s because today is a day of celebration for so many, yet for so many others, this day comes packed with a punch to the gut and heart. Mother’s Day is about Sunday brunch, flowers, cards and family gatherings. It’s a day that’s filled with the celebration of life, love, happiness, gratitude, hugs and joy. But for some of you…it’s just another day living with a broken heart. There are so many different reasons (way too many for me to list in this blog) why this one day of […]

Bereavement, Complicated Grief, Death of a Child, Open to Hope, Your Grief

A Different Kind of Mother’s Day for My Friend 

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Mother’s Day usually stirs up memories of celebrating my Mom with my brothers and sisters when we were kids- showering her with all the snuggles, handmade cards and French toast from the Betty Crocker Boys and Girls Cookbook. Nothing said I Love You like delivering fresh flowers to her (right out of her garden).🌷   This year, though, I’ve been thinking a lot about my dear new friend, Marlene, who will be navigating her first Mother’s Day since the shocking death of her beloved son, BJ.    Marlene shared the heart shattering news on social media last year, “No words […]

Death of a Child, Open to Hope, Self Care

New Year, Old Grief: Now What?

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Another New Year’s celebration has come and gone. For me, the reality of another year my daughter didn’t live to see is a painful one. Even many years after her death. Whether your grief is fresh or seasoned, New Year’s celebration and traditions of new beginnings in the form of yearly resolutions can be extremely painful. I often describe it as a “slap in the face” reminder that the world has moved on without my daughter—while I still think of her and miss her every day. It all started in September 2009, when my 4-year-old daughter died in a sudden, […]

After Life Connections, Death of a Sibling, Open to Hope

Memories and Messages. Merry Christmas from the Other Side

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Christmas had always been a special time for me. The anticipation of Christmas day – decorating the tree and house, buying presents, beautiful food and spending time with family. But over time, Christmas has lost its sparkle. While I still appreciate the day with people I love – it no longer holds the same energy as years before. The excitement has been replaced more with a time for reflection and a longing for times gone by. Grief has woven her darkness through the tapestry of life with my brother Carl’s passing after a car accident, precious pets transitioning, and long-term […]

Bereavement, Death of a Child, Self Care

Mourners Pass

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

It is the holiday season, and in those first year or two, the pain of not having my son home for the holidays was overwhelming. What hurt most was his absence—no longer buying him his eight Chanukah gifts, not watching him light his menorah alongside his sister’s, and alongside the family menorah that my wife and I light together.  Going to my in-laws’ home on Christmas was just as difficult, seeing gifts under the tree for everyone except him. Simply knowing he was not there was emotionally draining for us, year after year.  Over the years, this particular pain has eased little […]

Open to Hope, Self Care

How to Face Milestone Dates After a Loss

Saturday, November 15, 2025

As time progresses, new reasons to mourn may rap on your door. Birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, major holidays—even seemingly innocuous events may reignite sorrow. A veil of tears might distort your vision as your grandchild toddles around. If only my husband could see his latest grandchild learn to walk. Conversely, if your child died or went missing, the growth of other people’s kids might activate strong reactions. Consider revisiting this book then.   It is also helpful to face significant dates with a ritual. According to Drs. Evan Imber-Black and Janine Roberts, “when healing rituals have not occurred, or have been […]

Death of a Parent

Missing Mom on Mother’s Day

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Missing Mom on Mother’s Day My friend and I were recently having breakfast and talk turned to the upcoming Mother’s Day.  Both of us have lost our mothers recently and a look of sadness and “I miss her” tears began to fill our eyes. As my thoughts drifted back to my years as a child, when I scurried to make Mom breakfast in bed and bring her flowers from the yard, I softly smiled. She pretended to be surprised and always ate my creations, whether they were tasty or not. Growing into a young woman, the gifts became more memorable […]