Words for the Journey
Discover a sanctuary of perspectives, tools, and shared experiences written for people living with grief.
The Language of Grief: Changing the Way We Talk and Think About Loss
Words matter. What we say, how we say it, and who we say it to matters, because those around us can be greatly impacted by the language we use and the words we choose to communicate with.
Are You Safe?
The first time I heard these words, "Are you safe?," it wasn't long after Tim died. I really didn't understand what that mean't. Was I safe with my husband,? my family? my friends?" Of course I was safe with them. Then one day, about a year after my son died, that phrase had meaning. It meant, was I safe with myself. Sad to say, the answer was no. I was not safe with myself.
People Don't Get It
When loss hits, life changes. This includes our relationships. So often, the people arond us don't understrand. We can feel rejected, invisible, and alone.
Keys (Poem)
We pass these keys, to cease this journeyOur mind freezes, admiring the ceilingsConcealing these feelings of lossSeemingly tossed inside a soulless worldNever taught how to sew the hurtYes, life is a tough tourAlthough, we seek guides to countourThis maze which consumes the brain
How Much More am I Going to Lose?
When someone dies, we lose not only them, but many things attached to them. The losses can pile up quickly.
Friendship (Poem)
Smooth flows, smooth flows, there’s no place for more foesSearching for love in the wrong places, we propose to our roadsShare goals, share gold, that’s how deep the love goesEvery week we see ghosts, so many are fake closeHatred switches sides like basketball teams, straight after half-time
No Time to Grieve: Can we be too busy for grief?
These days everyone is busy. Ask anyone you haven’t seen in awhile how they’ve been and they’re likely to answer, “busy!”. This won’t be a surprise to most, but something that I didn’t expect in the midst of our very busy lives is how many newly bereaved people I’ve met who are (or think they are) just too busy to grieve.
Does Changed Grief Mean I’ve Changed?
My daughter Helen, mother of my twin grandchildren, died 11 years ago. The 10th anniversary of her death was especially hard and I’m not sure why. I only knew that Helen wasn’t part of my life. Death robbed me of a future with her, a painful truth I face each day.
The Gift of Tears?
We are created by God with the ability and urge to cry when our emotions move us, so shedding tears must be an important part of being a human being - a person composed of a body and a soul made in the image and likeness of God.
I'm Not Fine
People are us how we're doing. How are we supposed to answer that one? "I'm fine," is a typical response, even though that might be the opposite of how we feel.