After my physician husband completed his tour of duty in Vietnam, the Air Force sent him to a base in Selma, Alabama.  He was the commander of the medical group.  My husband and I, and …

The words sympathy and empathy are often used interchangeably, and yet they are distinct expressions.
In times of death, it’s customary to extend sympathy by sharing our sorrow for what’s happened. Sympathy cards are usually synonymous …

In 2007, when I was devastated by the deaths of four loved ones, I looked for new ways to cope with grief. Though I had good coping skills, nothing had prepared me for multiple losses. …

On a February weekend in 2007, my elder daughter and father-in-law died. Their causes of death were very different. My father-in-law was 98 1/2 years old and had been dwindling for months. His death was …

We often think of grieving as something that happens to us. But have you thought lately about how you grieve by doing? There may be some particular things that you’ve been doing that have been …

If there is one thing for sure about our grief journey, it seems to be there is very little for sure about our grief journey.  Walking this road together as two bereaved parents who never …

Webster’s Definition of Surrender: To give oneself over to something (as an influence); to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another. Synonym: Relinquish — give up; to withdraw or retreat …

Last month, my husband and I went to a holiday party. We enjoyed the food, piano music, and visiting with friends. As we prepared to leave, a friend asked what I was doing these days. …

This is the last in a 3-part series about how to talk about grief, and how to listen to others who are grieving.
The following is advice for those who are willing to try to …

This is the second in a 3-part series about how to speak about one’s grief.
Listeners are alert to cues that you aren’t going to be a huge burden to them. Here’s how you can send …

I taught school for a dozen years and loved every one of them. But the day came when I realized I had done everything I could with my job and had no more to give. …

Several years ago, I was watching news coverage following the crash of a passenger plane that killed all on board. The plane actually crashed into the ocean so over the next few days, survivor families …

Patrick Malone’s remarks at The Compassionate Friends Atlanta Chapter 2009 Candle Light Remembrance.
We would have traded places with our child without a second thought, but we weren’t given that choice. When that enormous pain …

When we are on a grief journey and someone asks us, “How are you feeling?” the tendency is to say, “I’m fine.” But we’re not fine, and one of my friends pointed that out to …

On January 11, 2003, I visited my dad who was recuperating from pneumonia in a care center. That night, as always, we talked about the old days, something we loved to do. Sometimes the topic …

I had guilt feelings after four loved ones died within nine months. My elder daughter was the first family member to die and, though she and her twins came for dinner every Sunday, I wished …