Category Archives: Uncategorized

In 2009, I lost my dad to lymphoma and Parkinson’s. Losing my husband has been an ongoing process that started in January, but it will be “officially” over on October 3. Two days after my last post, on May 24th, I lost my mom to systemwide organ failure. Since then, I’ve been in no condition […]

Three weeks ago, I never imagined that I would be saying goodbye to mom this weekend, knowing that she probably had only hours or days remaining in this world. On May 5, my Mom was rushed to the ER after experiencing what seemed to be another relapse into congestive heart failure. Even though it’s a […]

I just rediscovered this incredible ode to surviving loss today. (Learn more about why Mark Rickerby created this poem on the Grief Support page on Facebook). HOW WE SURVIVE If we are fortunate, we are given a warning. If not, there is only the sudden horror, the wrench of being torn apart; of being reminded […]

Reminders of those we’ve lost were omnipresent for me this weekend. Beyond the one obvious to everyone – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – I was reminded of two others – snowboarding pioneer Craig Kelly and my dad. When I decided to escape to Oregon for the weekend, a show by snowboard industry photographer Bud […]

Today, I discovered a great reminder from Alicia King, a.k.a. @thegrieflady on Twitter: We don’t forget the people we love after they die!  We remember them, carry their love with us and honor their memory. With luck, we go on.

Listening to President Obama on Wednesday, I was especially moved by several of his comments about the tragedy in Arizona, those we lost, and those who remain. When he stated that “when a tragedy like this strikes, it is part of our nature to demand explanations – to try and pose some order on the […]

Words have the power to control your thoughts and actions. Use powerful, positive ones! Check out 12 Healing Words for the New Year for a dozen you might want to activate as favorites – in 2011 and beyond.

Do you still regret the things you didn’t say? I definitely do. I wish I had realized before his last few days that when my dad questioned my actions, he wasn’t putting me down, just encouraging me to reach my potential. I wish I had realized how many of my passions had been his passions […]

One of the toughest things about grief is sometimes feeling that you’re completely alone. Those who haven’t experienced loss sometimes don’t have a clue how to act, or how to help. I discovered 12 Simple Ways to Support a Grieving Friend this Holiday Season today, and I think it’s a great resource – except that […]

Two years ago today, life changed forever. My mom went into the hospital with congestive heart failure, and I rushed down to Portland. The nurses noted that my dad, who had Parkinson’s disease, really shouldn’t be alone while my mom was in the hospital, so I decided to stay in Portland and “work from home” […]