A few years ago, knee-deep in grief, a parent decided to start surprising herself with what she called “happy reminders.” She was tired of walking into her son’s room, looking for something she hadn’t seen before and feeling lost. She…
In the middle of grief, self-care often falls to the bottom of the priority list. With arrangements to be made, bills to pay and a void to fill, we busy ourselves with tasks. Distracting ourselves with washing dishes or putting…
I can recall with perfect clarity the exact moment when I first realized I wanted to die. It was four weeks to the day after our daughter had passed. It was also our 20th wedding anniversary—a fact that was totally…
Everyone has moments in their life that mark “Before” and “After,” experiences or events that changed everything that came after. For some, it’s marriage; for others, it’s the birth of a child, the start of a new job, or a…
It was the perfect last conversation, a well-practiced dance we fell into without notice. I was standing at the sink with my hands in warm dishwater when you came into the kitchen from your room in the back. Draping your…
The stores are also crowded with people preparing for activities to celebrate the beginning of summer. The roads leading to area beaches are backlogged with traffic. Cookouts and family fun activities are planned. The department stores are advertising great Memorial…
As I think about Mother’s Day this year I become very nostalgic. Every spring during my elementary school days, I looked forward to the day the order form for our plants for Mother’s Day came from our local florist. I…
My beautiful baby, Brianna, was born January 13, 2012. I was nervous the whole entire pregnancy. I was never the type of person who thought I would enjoy being a mother. However, I was so grateful for a loving husband…
Those who have endured the “Dark Night of the Soul” hold on to strands of hope. In the deepest, darkest moments of despair, we dare to hope and pray for an hour or a day free of the choiceless sorrow,…
“Let’s pretend we’re at a cocktail party. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? We’re meeting for the first time and getting to know each other. We’ve learned that we’re both parents, so one of the very first questions you’ll probably ask…
