Articles

By Judith Timson It was my husband who set me off this year. We were doing a drive-by look at the just beginning to twinkle holiday lights and he sighed and said: “I miss your Mom.” Me too. Funny how some holiday seasons have more grief bubbling to the surface than others. My mother has been gone almost 11 years, so being without her this time of year is not new. She lived until she was 90, was one of my...

My greatest fear is that the world will eventually forget about my daughter, Katie. This weekend marks four years since she walked out the door and never came home. People surround you with love and compassion when your child dies, but then their lives and responsibilities pull them back to their own worlds. Over time, people retreat and they stop saying your child's name. Is it because they think it will hurt us? Or do they truly forget that our...

by Cremation Asheshttps://ashescremationurn.com The anniversary of a loved one’s death doesn't have to be a day of only sadness. Despite the pain the anniversary of a death holds, it’s also an opportunity to think about the fond and funny moments they brought to your life and thank them for the good times. There is no single way to mark an anniversary. We’ve put together 10 ways to honour a loved one on the anniversary of their death, to help you find the option...

by Eleanor Haleyhttps://whatsyourgrief.com The anniversary of my mother’s death, or her “deathiversary”, is closing in on me. I usually count on the foliage and cool fresh air to tip me off, but the beginning of Fall was so unseasonably warm this year, I hardly noticed. These last few days, though, they’ve played their part well, bringing a dark, wet, coldness that is unmistakenly autumn. For me, they also bring pangs of grief as I’m transported back in time to October...

by DaughtryToday could have been the dayThat you'd blow out your candlesMake a wish as you closed your eyesToday could have been the dayEverybody was laughingInstead I just sit here and cryWho would you be?What would you look likeWhen you looked at me for the very first time?Today could have been the next day of the rest of your lifeNot a day goes by that I don't think of youI'm always asking why this crazy world had to loseSuch a...

by Eleanor Haleyhttps://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-and-sleep When my 5-year-old daughter is tired, it’s obvious to everyone but her. As far as she’s concerned, everything is awful. Nothing pleases her and nothing can possibly make her feel better. She pushes everyone away, while at the same time wanting to be coddled… And, let me tell you, holding her when she’s cranky is like trying to snuggle a porcupine. Come back when you’re a little less prickly, kid. Anyone who’s ever encountered a child probably knows...

by MrsTDJhttp://www.mrstdj.com . . . just wait until tonight, girl.  Mr. Womack surely put his heart and soul into those lyrics, and they’ve defined the weeks since my husband’s passing.  During the day, it’s a bit easier to fill my time because I’ve returned to work.  My head isn’t really in the game, but I’ve got a super supportive boss and great colleagues.  Outside of work, I’ve got Little TDJ, my family, friends and a village of others to fill the...

by Dougy Centerhttps://www.dougy.org It’s August which means many families are preparing for the start of school. When families are also grieving, this transition can bring a mixture relief, dread, excitement, and trepidation. Much like work for adults, children and teens spend a majority of their time at school, and they take their grief with them. For some children and teens, returning to school is comforting. They find support in the structure, familiarity, connections with friends, and the opportunity to focus...

by Eleanor Haleyhttps://whatsyourgrief.com I live catty-corner to two schools – a public middle school and a private boy’s high school. Each school has a different process for getting students onto their campus each morning. The middle school transports students in its traditional yellow buses, while the high school requires kids and their families to provide their own transportation.  As a result, every Monday to Friday morning, there’s a mini traffic jam outside my house. The buses roll up one street;...

A 2021 GUIDE TO ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA What You Need To Know, And What New Research Says.​ Reprinted with permission from https://www.toprehabs.com/alzheimers-dementia/ ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are two conditions that affect a person’s memory and ability to function in daily life. Although the conditions have some shared symptoms, each can affect the brain in different ways. Let’s examine the different dementia types, how alcohol abuse affects each, and risk factors. Defining Dementia Dementia is the umbrella term for...

by Litsa Williamshttps://whatsyourgrief.comNo two ways about it, Father’s Day is pretty much my least favorite holiday. In fact, I pretty much hate the month of June in general. My father spent his last Father’s Day unconscious and vented in an ICU and died the next week.Every year Father’s Day creeps up on me. When I realize it’s coming I start wanting to avoid, knowing darn well what a bad idea that is. I have given and taken advice for coping...

by Kelly FarleyWell, as much as I don’t like to think about Father’s Day, it’s kind of hard to ignore it.  All of the advertisements are in full swing on social media, websites, tv, radio and everywhere else I look.  It’s not that I am afraid of this day, I just don’t really know how to handle it.  I don’t have any living children to spend time with so I generally just spend quiet time with my wife.  Most of...