Words for the Journey

Discover a sanctuary of perspectives, tools, and shared experiences written for people living with grief.

How to Be Supportive When You’re Grieving Too

KarynArnold August 30, 2017 - 10:31am

Our worlds can become very small after the loss of a loved one. Grief can create blinders that make it hard to see past anything but our own pain and anguish. It can be challenging to get the help we need and to know how to be supportive…in the past we may have turned to friends and family when we’re hurting, but what happens when they’ve also been impacted by this loss? Can we get the help we need, and is it possible to be supportive when we’re grieving too?

Ripple Effects: When Grief Hits a Marriage

Gman8361 August 23, 2017 - 10:08am

"We're hurting," Mindy said, referring to herself and her husband, Daniel. "I cry. He works in the garage. I go shopping. He drinks beer and watches sports."

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It Bothers Me When

JohnPolo August 22, 2017 - 5:59pm

It bothers me when: I get introduced to someone as John. And there is no Michelle. That, in itself, is a moment of Hell.It bothers me when: They think that I am a single man. Because I am not. I was wed. And she is dead.

The Merchant Handbook

MarioWilliamVitale August 17, 2017 - 7:50pm

When in Spring with leaves turned to greenEyes, hands & faceThere lived one man with a thirstTo live in the moment between space & timeSelling his pots and pans to get byAlthough the years would pass he had every reason to graspTh

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The Journey of Grief

SamanthaSage August 17, 2017 - 3:45pm

I found myself on this journey rather suddenlyThere was no warning; no sign up aheadMy life was almost perfect it seemedMy heart swelled with complete joy at where I wasI was so excited about the futureThe great things we had plannedAnd then, it happenedYour heart just stopped beatingHow could this be happening?Was this real?

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Multiple losses: How to Cope with Loss & Change

KarynArnold August 17, 2017 - 2:57pm

When I first started facilitating bereavement groups, I sort of assumed that people would be coming for help for “just” one loss. Of course one loss is more than enough…it’s already toomuch. Yet so many grievers I met were experiencing multiple losses.

Friendships After a Child's Death

JamieO'Shea August 9, 2017 - 7:10pm

It seems to me before Joey died I had many friends! I was happy, lived in a good neighborhood, had had a good job, my kids were successful, on and on. Who wouldn't want to be a friend or at least an acquaintance?

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Grief Is

JohnPolo August 8, 2017 - 11:57am

Grief is crying on the floor. So very loudly. Yet nobody is there to hear, or see, your horror.Grief is the future missed. You would give anything for just one more hug. Or just one more kiss.

Allow Yourself Peace in Grief

CherieRickard August 6, 2017 - 10:56pm

Grief can be very overwhelming and it leaves us with feeling of helplessness.

A Mother's Search for Her Son. . . part III

JamieO'Shea August 6, 2017 - 1:49pm

The first year of my son's passing was a time of going from shock to unbearable pain to intense anger and back to shock. I became obsessed with having to know every detail of Joey's sudden death. Every moment had to be accounted for; every fine point regardless of how hard to hear had to be processed and listed. I don't know why I did this.

How Can You Help a Grieving Friend?

Harriet Hodgson August 1, 2017 - 3:57pm

You want to help a grieving friend, but don’t know what to do. I understand your predicament because I’ve “been there.” Comforting a bereaved person can be a challenge. My husband and I learned what to do after we experienced multiple losses. We learned what works and what doesn’t. The most important thing we learned is that small gestures can provide immense comfort.

Let Your Light Shine

flgibso August 1, 2017 - 12:59am

As we wander through this world Life has so many things in store Sometimes we feel we can’t go on Like we just can’t take anymore But, on the darkest of our days... There is a light that still shines bright It keeps us going through our days And watches over us as night