The Best Grandmother for Ever
UPDATE: Three years ago, my oldest daughter Lauren and I were in Kohl’s at Christmas time, when we came across an Elf on A Shelf in the box, complete with book and story for $39.95. We looked at each other and laughed, “Aren’t we lucky we don’t have to deal with...
The Best Grandmother for Ever…
It was February 2015. My husband Tony and I were preparing for the wedding of Brittani, our youngest child. Our oldest daughter Lauren and her husband Daniel had just arrived in town from Hawaii, and we were all sitting around the table when Lauren and Dan let us know...
Are Grief and Depression The Same Thing?
The question is often raised after someone loses a loved one, whether they are depressed. Grief is the normal and natural reaction to a loss of any kind. It is very important to understand the differences between the two to ensure that the correct treatment is...
Are Grief And Loss The Same?
Grief is the emotional response to a loss of any kind. A few examples of the types of loss an individual can experience are the loss of a loved one, pregnancy, financial security, marriage, pet, infertility, and health. A loss means to lose something. That loss can...
Can Grief Make You Tired?
Grieving the loss of a loved one takes immense energy. Chronic fatigue and exhaustion are extremely common throughout the grieving process. Sometimes, it takes all our energy to pretend that we are okay when in reality, we feel as though we are drowning in despair. ...
Are Grief Support Groups Helpful?
Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. There are hundreds of different types of support groups that someone can become a part of. For example, this common ground might be cancer, chronic medical conditions,...
Are Grief and Mourning the same?
Let’s start with Webster's definition: mourn·ing /ˈmôrniNG/ noun the expression of deep sorrow for someone who has died, typically involving following certain conventions such as wearing black clothes. "She's still in mourning after the death of her husband." black...
Can Grief Make you Ill?
The overwhelming sadness associated with grief can not only affect your emotional health but may also have extreme negative effects on your physical health. Here are a few examples of how grief can make you ill: Changes in sleep patterns—when we do not get enough...
Can Grief Change You?
Yes. Grief will change you forever. I would like to type out in this blog, “No, your grief will not change you,” but that would be a lie. Your grief will change the trajectory of your life forever. You will never be the same person again. Hear me loud and clear...
Can Grief Cause Anxiety?
Anxiety is sometimes a practical and useful emotion, needed in certain situations. Anxiety helps us prepare for the driver’s license exam or remember the things we might need to take to school or on a special trip. It also helps us stay alert to ensure our safety. It...
Are Grief And Bereavement the Same Thing
be·reavement /bəˈrēvmənt,bēˈrēvmənt/ Learn to pronounce noun the action or condition of being bereaved. "there is no right way to experience bereavement Loss- deprivation-dispossession-sorrow-sadness grief /ɡrēf/ Learn to pronounce noun deep sorrow, especially that...
Loss of Trust
Grief in itself is hard enough. Grief can be very painful, and loss is one of the most difficult experiences for humans to endure. However, there is no easy way around it. We always talk about how we have to go through the pain and not go around it. There is no...
Overwhelm
Do you have days where you feel so overwhelmed with sadness? Does it seem impossible for you to get through the simple stuff on some days? I remember when I was grieving, all I want to do is go to sleep. Life is going on around me, but somehow, I could not go along...
Grieving and the Holidays
Let’s face it: The holidays are going to be a bigger challenge this year, with many of us out of work or coping with isolation and grief. Because everything is upside-down, make sure that you are ready because it is coming ready or not. In short, we will be making new...
You Must Choose to Feel It.
I hear you all. What do you mean I have no choice other than feeling this pain! It feels as though someone has stabbed me in the heart with a knife. If I sit still for long enough, I can feel it turning. The loss of a loved one can be excruciating. With every...
When Is the Right Time to Get Help?
Hello, friend. Grief is normal. Did you hear that? GRIEF IS NORMAL. How come no one ever told you that before? We don't have an exact answer for you regarding that question, but we do know one thing for sure...no one wants to talk about sad feelings. People don't...
Why me?
Why me? When we ask ourselves, "Why me?" we get terrible answers. We get self-pity. We get disempowered. We have decided to change that question to... Why was I chosen to experience this? See the difference? See the power in just changing that one question? No, it...
Words Matter
Words can cut like a knife. Words can also heal our heart. Words are so important to us as humans. We can act as uncaring strangers from time to time using words to force the broken-hearted to stay away. As grievers, we cut ourselves off from human interaction, but...
I Want To Have Sex Again
“My mother just died and all I want to do is have sex. Is this normal?” These were the first words I heard over the phone after hello. Is this a joke was the first thought that went thought my head? I simply answered, “Yes, this is a completely normal...
Going Back
Going Back We all know what that means: going back to school. This year, it will be a little different. Pandemic! Wear a mask! Don’t wear a mask! Wash your hands! Check your temperature! Don’t touch your friend! How do we clean our area? Teachers are scared. Parents...