Words for the Journey

Do you know someone who has lost a loved one?  Has a friend of yours suffered the death of an important person?  Do you feel unsure of what to say or what to do to make it better for them during this season of holiday cheer?  Here are some tips on how to support your friend through this hard time of the year:

This is a hard one to write and harder yet to share. Distance has not made the horror of it any softer nor has time. I don't share this for pity, I share it so when one of you hit this point, maybe you'll remember this and do what is needed to save yourself.

When we’re missing someone, we tend to bump into them everywhere. Especially during the holidays.This season surfaces our losses and flings them in our faces. It's hard, and can be painful and confusing. “I Miss Everything!”“What do I miss?” Andrea asked. “Everything! I miss everything. Everything reminds me of Aaron.”

I'll cop to it.... I admit it.  I'm angry.Oh sure, everybody expects that I would be angry that my husband died so unexpectedly and at the tender age of 63. But that's not what I'm really angry about.I'm angry at the way our society treats widows and widowers, and grievers generally.

Living your life after a loved one passes to Heaven isn't about living without them.  It is about finding ways to include them in all that you do.  It is about carrying on the Legacy that they left behind in this world.

One holiday down; here comes Christmas. All I want for Christmas is to change the world!  I want the world to change the way it treats grievers, widows and widowers, orphans, and everyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one.

Holidays can be lonely. This time of year surfaces our losses and throws them in our faces. We bump into a memory with every decoration, song, or tradition.

Do you feel me at your sideWhen you scream you miss me soDo you know that I’m right next to you

It has been three years and four months since Sam left us. He left his family, his friends and all that knew of him. Everyone knew him as "Smilin' Sam." He was the most loved kid I knew and still know. After three years, though, I still feel alone. I feel like I did the day he passed away.

12/2/15 - 3 years, 28 days since you gained your wings.

Some days are harder that others.Today’s been a hard day.I can’t stop thinking about you.And there’s so much to think about.You altered my life in ways you’ll never know.