Coping with Loss: A Reinterpretation of Father’s Day June 22, 2015 • 0 Comments As far as holidays go, Father’s Day presents a certain kind of challenge. Living in this culture of mass marketed and manufactured “celebration” days, it is somewhat hard to escape. Don’t get me wrong — I adore holidays and the way they create a space for expressing sentiments that should really be expressed on a daily basis. I just don’t…
Talking to Children About Death: Healing and Conversation June 23, 2014 • 2 Comments Last week I had the opportunity to share my story with a wonderful group of people who graciously allowed me to unfurl before them. I really enjoy this kind of interaction with small groups. Answering questions forces me to dig deeper into what I have learned and how it might apply to the others dealing with loss. It is very…
Parent Suicide Resources: When Children Grieve February 12, 2014 • 5 Comments In the aftermath of my husband’s death, I pursued every resource I could find to aid in my children’s recovery. They were not particularly fond of their brief foray into therapy because they found talking to a stranger about such an intimate experience “weird.” One of them attended a Survivors of Suicide support group but had a hard time finding…
Coping with Suicide: A Poem About Loss September 6, 2013 • 0 Comments This poem was sent to me by a woman I know whose son recently took his own life. She received it from a friend and found great solace in the words. I can understand why and wanted to share it with you. There is a brokenness out of which comes the unbroken, a shatteredness out of which blooms the unshatterable.…
Pets as Therapy: Life Transitions and Healing with Pets May 8, 2013 • 1 Comment I have three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels’ swirling under my feet every day. Trusty companions that follow me through the house: up and down the stairs, around the garden, and in and out of the bathroom and kitchen. They would prefer that I sit on the couch all day where they can lay on top of me. Winston, Rupert &…