Death of a Child

God’s Plan in the Grocery Store

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

With my whole heart I can say that I am not afraid of anything in life now that I’ve watched my son die.  Nothing can ever be harder than that moment in time; therefore, I have nothing to fear.  Death itself no longer scares me, either, knowing he is waiting for me on the other side. There are, however, a few land mines that I run into every once in a while that catch me off guard.  Explosions of anger, frustration or sadness that turn me inside out and make me come unglued. You know what I’m talking about.  You’re […]

Death of a Sibling

Sister Unloads Grief Years After Brother’s Suicide

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

I was a sweet, blue-eyed seven-year-old girl watching The Parent Trap while my big brother was babysitting. He got me a cup of water after asking if there was anything I needed. Little did I know my answer should have been, “I need my big brother.” Only minutes later I heard a heart-stopping, deafening boom. I sat there, frozen. What was that? My blonde hair on the back of my neck was standing up, and my ears were ringing. The terrifying noise was the gun my brother used to take his own life. Thirteen years later, that emotionally scarred little […]

Open to Hope

Grief Healing and the Power of Afterlife Signs

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Since 1998, during my grief support work, I have observed time and again the remarkable healing affects that take place when the bereaved receive a personal afterlife sign from their departed loved ones. Many who were deeply grieving and in a very dark place would later confide in me that the only reason they did not follow through on their thoughts of suicide was because they had received an afterlife sign. Types of Signs Some of these “signs” may be in the form of: happy and vivid dreams where you get to see, talk or hug them again; being surrounded […]

Death of a Child, Your Grief

Giving Meaning to the Short Life of a Granddaughter

Sunday, October 14, 2012

The day that changed the lives of my family started with my four-year-old granddaughter, Brittany, sneaking in the front door with two little pink roses hiding behind her back.  When a precious little hand reaches towards you holding something so dear, the warmth and tenderness you feel have no words.  Little did we know what effect a pink rose would have on the rest of our lives. The next morning was supposed to be the first day at her new school, but things changed over night.  By morning, she was burning up with fever.  From the doctor’s office, she was […]

Open to Hope

Discovering Something Greater than the Answer to “Why?”

Monday, May 21, 2012

“Why me?”  “Why now?” They are questions that many bereaved ask when they come to our support groups. I’m sure many wish that Gary and I could gaze into a crystal ball, and assure them there is a reason to go on living. It is human nature to ask, “Why?”  Yet, there is seldom a satisfactory answer. Instead of answers, we often give the bereaved options for finding new meaning. They have embarked on an adventure and a journey far beyond their imagination; and it’s an arduous task that will challenge a lifetime of beliefs and assumptions. It’s a journey […]

Special Topics

Got Faith?

Sunday, January 11, 2009

WHAT IS FAITH, BY THE WAY? It’s a simple question, right? Maybe not… Faith can mean many things to many people, and whatever one’s personal beliefs, they should be respected as everyone’s journey is their own. This is reflected in our everyday life experiences, including grieving the loss of a loved one. And regardless of those beliefs, we all have the opportunity to comfort and support one another in the most important aspect of our lives – the here and the now. Most of us have an inner faith of some sort, including the strong conviction by some that there is nothing beyond this […]

Special Topics

I Believe (poem)

Saturday, November 29, 2008

I believe I will see my loved ones again and it is that, among other things, which allows me to heal and gives me the courage to journey forward. I believe there is a profound reason for life and death, perhaps purposely beyond our understanding. I believe that moving forward is about creating opportunities for spiritual growth, and not just going through the motions of another day. I believe that life’s events are a classroom, and not some meaningless cosmic joke. I believe that love is profoundly connected to the meaning of life, and not just an empty phenomenon that rewards […]

Special Topics, Your Grief

Faith and Suicide

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Having lost loved ones to suicide, I am deeply saddened and feel abandoned when the Christian faith I look to for support and comfort judge and condemn victims of suicides. While I certainly do not support or advocate suicide, nowhere in The Holy Bible does it exclude from Heaven our loved ones who have taken their own lives. In fact, Jesus said the only unforgivable sin was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, so I am often mystified by seemingly-sanctimonious condemnations of suicide victims on “God’s behalf.” After all, would any loving and compassionate father forever turn away from his child for […]