Here it comes again — the Holiday Army — in its annual march against us. Some of its generals are called “Thanksgiving,” “Christmas,” “Hanukkah,” “New Year’s Eve” and “New Year’s Day.” They are no respecters of the heartbroken and emotionally…
It is difficult to join in on Thanksgiving thankfulness when it crashes upon me. Grief is my uninvited guest; not just the holidays, but every day. Our core family changed. It sometimes feels like I have been knocked to the…
The last time I saw my son was on November 30, 2002. It was a warm, clear Saturday and he and his family had gathered with us at a friend’s home for a relaxing Saturday afternoon. Todd had arrived in…
The time draws near And the calendar says Thanksgiving is really here. Time to reflect and time to gather Thoughts of what to be thankful of. Thankful? I think not. My life is not full these days And to be…
It’s been just over three weeks since becoming Executive Director of the best grief organization in the world. I may hold a slightly prejudiced view of our organization as it was the lifeline that allowed us to hold onto hope…
Lend me your hope for awhile, I seem to have mislaid mine. Lost and hopeless feelings accompany me daily. Pain and confusion are my companions. I know not where to turn. Looking ahead to the future times Does not bring…
As I type this, the nip in the October air is a reminder that the major holidays are just around the corner. Halloween paraphernalia has been in the stores since July with Christmas decorations right behind them. For those of…
For everything there is a season, and for me the season of being the Executive Director of The Compassionate Friends will come to an end before the next issue of the E-Newsletter is published. What an honor it has been…
Joann is an actress. She is also a bereaved parent. She shared with me that when the emotions of her grief welled up inside of her she would act them out. She would become the voice of her anger or…
Someone asked me about you today It’s been so long since anyone has done that It felt so good to talk about you to share my memories of you to simply say your name out loud She asked me if…