We are at a point in our home where neither my husband nor I can help our son any longer in math. When he came home talking about quadratic equations, my eyes rolled into the back of my head. But even without being proficient in this level of math, there is some basic mathematics IContinue reading “The Multiplication and Division of Grief”
Tag Archives: #hope
Practicing the 3 C’s of Grief: Choose, Connect, Communicate
The grief journey isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Like sprint runners, we will not get through our grief in 1 minute 20 seconds. Several friends have run the Boston Marathon, which takes months of rigorous training and preparation. They need to practice running short intervals, then slowly, they begin increasing the time of theirContinue reading “Practicing the 3 C’s of Grief: Choose, Connect, Communicate”
Grief, Grit and Grace
Grief, grit, and grace are three different words and meanings, but in some ways complimentary of one another. Not long ago, someone told me I had a lot of grit while grieving Melanie’s death. I was aware that the definition of grief is sorrow, misery, anguish, pain, distress, and agony – all facets of grief I keenly possessed.Continue reading “Grief, Grit and Grace”
Scars: A Double-Edged Sword
After having surgery a few months ago there is still a telltale sign reminding me of what happened. Even after several months, a tiny pink scar remains as an outward sign of what was. After all, as we go through life, most of us will end up with scars – some visible and others thatContinue reading “Scars: A Double-Edged Sword”
Worry and Anxiety: A Consequence of Grief
Currently, I’m reading Winning the War on Worry by Louie Giglio with our small group. Although it’s a concise book (only 100 pages), it’s powerful and has made me stop and think long and hard about some of the things I’ve experienced since Melanie ran ahead to heaven. While examining my heart, it’s brought meContinue reading “Worry and Anxiety: A Consequence of Grief”
Famous Last Words: It Will Never Happen to Me
We will all suffer loss at some point in our lives. While each situation may differ, the loss has one thing in common – heartache. Loss is loss, and grief is grief, no matter the circumstance surrounding the loss. Before you began walking your grief journey, let me ask you, did you ever think it willContinue reading “Famous Last Words: It Will Never Happen to Me”
Give Yourself a Little Credit
Here we are, a couple of days after Christmas and moving toward a new year. As we wake up we can look back and say, “Whew, we made it! We made it through another holiday when we didn’t think we could. We survived.” For some, it may have been barely. Granted, it may not haveContinue reading “Give Yourself a Little Credit”
Wounded Souls Hurt More at Christmas
The impact of grief appears in many different ways. Yet it’s the state of our heart that suffers most. No matter how long we’ve been walking this grief journey, it seems that wounded souls hurt more at Christmas. When a heart is hurting, even the twinkling lights, pretty colors, and beautiful songs don’t seem toContinue reading “Wounded Souls Hurt More at Christmas”
The Empty Chair
As we approach Thanksgiving many of us will look upon the empty chair at the table. The hole deep within our heart will now be staring openly at us. Holidays are hard. If you are early on in your grief journey you may wonder how you’re going to get through the day. The empty chairContinue reading “The Empty Chair”
Invite Grief and Gratitude to the Table
Here we are just a couple of short weeks away from celebrating Thanksgiving. If you’re grieving you may be feeling anything but thankful. Holidays are hard. As we get together with family you may feel pressured to smile and act like everything is fine when your heart is actually broken. My friends, this year let’sContinue reading “Invite Grief and Gratitude to the Table”
Let’s Talk Self-Care: The Struggle is Real
No matter how hard I try it seems as if I still struggle with prioritizing myself and my needs. Let’s talk self-care for a moment. The struggle is real my friends. Some days I wonder if self-care is really achievable. Perhaps this is more of an issue for women. What do you think? I amContinue reading “Let’s Talk Self-Care: The Struggle is Real”
Did I Do Enough
Since you’ve been walking along this grief journey I imagine at some point you asked yourself, did I do enough? Did you do all you could to help your loved one move from their disease to recovery? Did you do enough to offer support during their trials and tribulations? Did you do enough to guideContinue reading “Did I Do Enough”
With Great Loss Comes a Major Change of Perspective
Have you found that since the loss of your loved one the things that were once so important to you no longer are? I’ve come to learn that with great loss comes a major change of perspective. While talking with a friend over lunch last week we spoke about how our priorities and thoughts hadContinue reading “With Great Loss Comes a Major Change of Perspective”
Times in Life We Never Forget
There are certain times in life we never forget. Like the day you got married, or the day your children were born. Other times we never forget, but with a more solemn memory is the day our loved ones died. It was 45 years ago today that my dad was killed in a car accident.Continue reading “Times in Life We Never Forget”
What is Heaven Like? I Can Only Imagine
Since your loved one died have you found yourself thinking about heaven? I have to admit I never thought about it much … until my girl was no longer walking this earth. Once I could no longer see her with my natural eyes my wonder about heaven increased exponentially. Who will I see when IContinue reading “What is Heaven Like? I Can Only Imagine”
July – Bereaved Parents Month: Missing Our Child(ren)
The month of July has been designated as Bereaved Parents Month. As a parent who has a child who ran ahead to heaven, I believe there is never a time when we don’t miss our child(ren). Personally, I don’t think someone needed to designate a month on the calendar to remind me there is suchContinue reading “July – Bereaved Parents Month: Missing Our Child(ren)”
Are You Over Your Grief Yet?
Recently I was the guest speaker at an event and after it was over someone came up and asked me exactly that question: Are you over your grief yet? The question seemed to come from a pure place and seemed quite sincere, yet it momentarily took me by surprise. It’s been a while since someoneContinue reading “Are You Over Your Grief Yet?”
Searching for Hope During Loss
Have you ever lost someone you love? Have you found yourself on this dark, lonely road called grief, searching for hope during loss? From the moment I first heard the words, “your daughter Melanie is deceased” my life as I knew it was forever changed. If you have suffered an unexpected loss you know exactlyContinue reading “Searching for Hope During Loss”
Where Are You God?
At some point in our lives, we will all experience the loss of a loved one. Whether it be a parent, a spouse, or like me, the unexpected loss of a child. Death summons up the deepest of emotions and can make the strongest believer question their faith. Have you ever found yourself asking, “WhereContinue reading “Where Are You God?”
Trying to Process the Incomprehensible
Typically, the end of May is a time to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer. We attend end of school parties, graduations, and summertime vacation plans are made. Instead, this year as many across our nation begin this tradition, there are 21 families in a small town in southern Texas whoseContinue reading “Trying to Process the Incomprehensible”