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Wise Old Owl: Daughter’s Favorite Stuffed Animal

Posted on April 24, 2023 - by John Beerman

Wise Old Owl Most every morning, after I brew my half-caf coffee, I make my way to our second-story porch overlooking massive oak tress in our back yard. A brackish creek meanders beyond the trees, hidden from view. It harbors Florida wildlife, red cardinals, blue jays and finicky squirrels scampering about in search of acorns from the oaks. And then there is the grey owl, whose distinctive call is not a hoot, but more of a “coo “, a very loud coo. Hearing her “coo” gives me an eerie sense of mystery and awe. I relish my time on our […]

Making Good Things from Grief

Posted on April 20, 2023 - by Harriet Hodgson

Making Good Things from Grief When my husband John died, I didn’t know how to go on living. Rather than existing, I wanted to flourish and savor life. That meant setting new goals, working for them, and reaching them. I wanted my living loved ones, and John, to be proud of me. Creating a new life took gumption, and I had it. Grief could have a better outcome if I let it. I could learn from grief and use my experience to help others. Judy Tatelbaum, author of The Courage to Grieve, thinks grieving people need to make good from […]

Understanding and Working through Grief

Posted on April 17, 2023 - by Ilana Estelle

Understanding and working through grief isn’t without its challenges. Although you may have weeks or months to prepare, knowing you’re going to lose a loved one. It isn’t something you’re always ready for and that’s okay. GRIEF AFFECTS US ALL DIFFERENTLY Grief affects us all differently and there is no timescale for working through grief. Fortunately, many of us will come through grief with a better understanding of how we feel. Initially, we may wander and get lost for a while, and that’s okay too, or we may wait until we’re feeling mentally ready to accept that we need to […]

Saying Goodbye to His Body

Posted on April 14, 2023 - by Kim Pierce

LOSING MY FIANCE When my fiancé died suddenly in 1998, I had the heart-wrenching task of identifying him at the funeral home. Wildly, madly I wanted it not to be true and to see someone else on that gurney. But no, I didn’t even have to enter the room. I could stand in the doorway and look across and see the familiar face I loved, shattering my last hope that some sort of terrible mistake had occurred. Everything moves so fast in those first, frantic moments after a death. Consumed with grief, I leaned heavily on a friend who gently […]

Grief Does Not Define Me

Posted on April 11, 2023 - by Judy Lipson

Grief Does Not Define Me When my daughter told me that grief defined me, I felt like I had been punched in my gut. After years of presenting a happy persona, and not talking about my beloved sisters Margie and Jane, I learned that my acting skills would not win an Oscar. Her words forced me to switch the narrative from grief does not define me to grief is a part of me. Losing my two sisters forty-two and thirty-three years ago forever changed my life. This is my life, my story, and embracing this truth has lifted a burden of […]

After a Sibling Loss: Signs Not to be Ignored

Posted on April 8, 2023 - by Sue Trace Lawrence

After a sibling loss, it’s natural for a child of any age to experience grief in some form. So what should parents consider a sign of trouble for the child after the sibling’s death? What could be seen as symptoms of mental illness? Below is not an exhaustive list, but it suggests common clues often seen in a child who is suffering emotionally, socially, and psychologically. Signs Not To Be Ignored Expressing statements or presenting behaviors that imply threats to harm self or others. Extreme social withdrawal, to the point of isolation despite the attempts of family and friends to […]

Common Reactions to Sibling Loss

Posted on April 6, 2023 - by Sue Trace Lawrence

Common Reactions to Sibling Loss What are the most common reactions to sibling loss? How do siblings react at different stages of childhood? Here are some generalities: Reactions Among Infants These children may be too young to know the specifics of the tragedy, but they can pick up cues from people around them. Babies can sense that something is different in their environment. Parents who care for them appear distant and upset. Adults may stop interacting with them. The baby experiences less security; their needs may not be fully met. The baby is learning that what once was a happy […]

Fear After Sibling Loss

Posted on April 4, 2023 - by Sue Trace Lawrence

Fear After Sibling Loss Fear is commonplace in children after a sibling’s death. Many times, the surviving child may not state their fear directly, but an astute parent can detect this emotion in statements such as these: I don’t want to go to school. Please keep the light on for me at night. Can I sleep in your room/bed? Turn off the TV; I don’t want to watch that show. Is Daddy going to be OK on his trip? Don’t go to the store, Mommy! Can I come with you when you run your errands? Where is my old teddy […]

Sadness After Sibling Loss

Posted on April 2, 2023 - by Sue Trace Lawrence

Sadness After Sibling Loss When a loved one dies, everyone expects the family to experience sadness. Sadness has become a synonym for grief, but the truth is, grief is usually comprised of many mixed emotions. The most prevalent of these are the aforementioned guilt and anger. One of the reasons these two become so strong is due to our society’s labeling of these as “bad” emotions. It is acceptable to be heartbroken that your sibling is gone, but if a child makes statements related to self-centeredness or resentment, he or she is made to feel guilty. Even unhappiness can become […]

Gratitude While Grieving

Posted on March 31, 2023 - by Judy Lipson

Gratitude While Grieving I do not believe in making New Year’s resolutions, but believe in stating what I am grateful for. After all that we have lost, how are we different today than a year ago? How has our perspective on things changed? And what are we grateful for? In December, we welcomed grandson number two who arrived five weeks early. So grateful he is in good health, home, thriving and has the love of family around him. I recall the birth of grandson number one and how my emotions bubbled up, the contrast of extreme feelings of joy to […]