Grief

You have 6 months to live

You have 6 months to live

The first reaction I had, was no reaction.  The doctor did not declare my life was coming to an end - it was the prognosis given to my best friend and roommate, Monica.  I wasn’t in the room when she was presented the ‘official’ news, but she shared it with me very...

read more
The Front Row at a Funeral

The Front Row at a Funeral

Is this really happening?  Did we just schedule a date for their funeral?  It all seems surreal, but no amount of protest can change the fact that it has been scheduled.    I am not a front row person, in general.  I prefer to sit in the back of rooms to view...

read more
The Pain of Grief – Raking Leaves

The Pain of Grief – Raking Leaves

I was raking leaves and began crying over the fact that I was raking alone – the first time in 16 years I had to rake alone. I don’t mind raking, but Monica always wanted to do that together and now she left me to do yet another “together thing” alone. I thought about...

read more
What NOT to say to someone who is grieving

What NOT to say to someone who is grieving

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to wear a “pass with care” sign as you deal with grief?  Or even a t-shirt that signified that you are struggling on certain days.  Since you can’t, you will have to be to be ready to hear things that seem to add to your distress.  A...

read more