The Family That Was
As we go through our life, it is normal to have people in our families die. People will get old, they will suffer illnesses, they will die in accidents, our families are constantly changing. Everything around us is constantly changing. So why is it that we hate change? Over the past couple years, my family […]
The Lasagna Period
What in the world is the lasagna period? Well, this is the term that I use to describe the period of time right after a death when people are constantly coming around. They are bringing food (often times it’s lasagna because it is delicious and good reheated), delivering flowers, stopping by or calling to check […]
2020…A Year We Shouldn’t Forget
December 31, 2020. We have waited for this day for about nine months. This year has brought us grief, loss, anxiety, boredom, depression, social unrest and so much more. But as we walk (spring, skip, gallop, but very quietly so it doesn’t see us) into 2021, I want to encourage my readers to not forget […]
You Should Be 70
You should be turning 70 today. This year my phrase isn’t “You WOULD be 70 today if you were here.” Nope. Today my sentiment is “You SHOULD be 70 today”. With so many of our family members making it to this milestone, you should have too. Today I’m upset you’re not here. Today as I […]
A Space for Memories
Memories are the moments that we get to hold onto after our loved one dies. We can pull these memories out for a smile, laugh or tears whenever our brain allows us too. One of the ways to easily do this is by having some pictures or mementos around your home or living space. You […]
Reliving the Memories
November 14, 2010. I wish I could say I woke up feeling like this day was starting out as any other day, but when I woke up my body seemed to know this day would be anything but normal. I was not currently aware of this, but looking back I think I did deep down […]
Mental Health Awareness
Throughout a week in October, many mental health providers and mental health advocates take time to raise awareness of mental health. This includes trying to normalize taking care of our mental health by taking time to go to therapy or finding other ways of self care. We try to tell people that it is ok […]
20 Years Later
August 8, 2000. A day that will be burned in my mind until I take my own last breath, because this was the day I watched my father take his. It was the fourth day of the fourth grade and I was 9 years old. Dad had been sick since before I was born. He […]
Task Four: Embarking on A New Life
We are at the end of our four task series. If you have not had a chance to read about the other three, I would do that now. The fourth task of Worden’s Tasks of Mourning is to find an enduring connection with the deceased while embarking on a new life. At the beginning of […]
Task Three: Adjusting
We have reached week three of our series on Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning. This week we are talking about the third task which is to adjust to an environment where the deceased is missing. This task focuses on working on finding a new normal without our loved one with us. If you have not […]