My daughter, Katie Brant, was my hero. 
She was given an overwhelming challenge which she met valiantly, fearlessly and always with a greater good in mind.  I witnessed Katie’s bravery early on when she marched down …

One early weeknight, I accompanied military personnel to announce the most dreaded news that any family could receive. Once we arrived at the address, we walked up to the lighted front door and knocked. A …

Should we grieve?
 
The Bible says we should cry at birth and rejoice at death. So should we grieve?
 
Webster’s Dictionary gives grief the following definition, “Deep and poignant distress caused by or as by bereavement.” It …

The sharp edge of grief came into my life when my son, Lucas, lost his life to cancer.
It was a sudden, brief battle for him, and the beginning of a season of life I certainly …

In my twelve years as spiritual counselor, I have seen men and women choke back their feelings while simultaneously defending the Almighty who supposedly allowed the devastating events to take place. Unfortunately, both smothering of emotions …

We all are programmed to look forward to each New Year.  How many times have you heard, late in the previous year, “I just want this year to be over with.” “I look forward to …

One of the great things that my dad taught me is that it is always better to give than receive, that to give unconditionally brings true happiness in life.That lesson has stuck with me. I volunteer …

January 25th will be my third grandchild’s birthday.  There won’t be any cake or ice cream or a party. She isn’t here with us.   Instead we will put balloons on her gravesite.   She would have been 14.  …

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 first in a 3-part series about how grievers speak about their losses.
Mourning traditions around the world, from Hindu traditions to Jewish and Christian traditions, provide structured time for mourners to lament their …

How much did I love Christmas? I would start my Christmas shopping in July of each year. I was the social convener of the century, organizing party after party. And, of course, a real tree …

The holidays have arrived. Normally they are a time for family fun and celebration but when you are grieving the loss of someone who has died, the season is different: it is painful.
Grieving is a …

What can be said about the meaning of anger; and what role does anger play in our eventual recovery from grief?
We know that, as humans, we are capable of experiencing a full range of feelings, …

In my dream
An elderly gent
Flowing, white hair
Comforted me
In my despair.
Mesmerized
By his love,
His blue eyes
As heavenly
As the sky above.
Words not spoken
Filled my mind.
I understood then
His message,
His message of time.
A message of hope
And, of courage.
A message of …

The pain of tonight
He’s finally resting.
He’s not hurting
That is all that matters
In this life of mine.
The struggles of the past
Been there, died there.
Nothing compares
To the love of today
Wanting, wanting to protect.
How do I comfort?
Same question …

I have been in and out of jail for well over a year.
I’m not there because I’ve broken a law or violated probation. I visit the barb wired facility to bring hope into a very …