Words for the Journey

Dear Sibling, there is so much you need to know. In our deepest sorrow, we don't realize that you cannot read our minds, you cannot know our pain. We know you feel lost, alone and abandoned. You saw us change instantly at the loss of one of you and you waited for the 'us' you knew so well to return. We didn't. You needed us, but for once in your life, we were not there for you.

I am having de ja vue.   The bench I am sitting on is hard. The air is cold. My younger brother is sitting beside me. My stomach is in my throat. The lights are bright and then I see him.He is 56 and frail. His hair thinning and he grows it long, combs it back just like my father did.   His glasses are the same as the last time I saw him. I was 16 then and 33 now.

I refuse to say goodbye.I can't. I won't.I'm afraid of the finality of that word.I'd rather hold on to the thought   that I'd see you again.It might not be today,

              

Grief is a Wicked Monster.

I miss your laugh, and I miss your smileSomeone to talk with for a while.

Because of the lack of empirical articles in the psychological literature, I decided to look into psychological reactions to grief and bereavement for my dissertation. I’m hoping to gather participants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. What follows is an IRB-approved welcome message and link to the survey. Thank you! ---------Hello,

 

Just Breathe The week after Chris died, when I was still numb and moving through my days by sheer adrenaline, a counselor called me fr

Yeah, this is one of 'those' days. We all know them so well. You wake up with that tightness in your chest, just like it was when this all began. Your stomach rolls, your heart hurts, your brain stumbles over itself. You've felt all of this in many different degrees, from day one. Time helps you hope that they are less, not as intense, then this day comes along.

Yesterday I visited a friend who’s 34 year old son is dying of a brain tumor/cancer.  He is in his final chapter of life.  As she was describing everything happening and from him going one day to being fine and the next day could not speak or remember things….flashes of my dad’s final days of life lost to lung cancer flashed in front of me and I got numb……I looked at her and my other