Writings

Hello my friends! Well, we just said goodbye to Labor Day and depending on where you live in the world, this is oftentimes the end of Summer as we begin to make our way into Fall. And whether we like it or not, it’s here again – time to plan for the holidays. How canContinue reading “How Can We Survive the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year””

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. Each year on this day I create a special post specifically dedicated to honor the memory of all those who were lost to overdose and the parents who are grieving them. My daughter, Melanie lost her life to the disease of addiction. Before that I never knew such aContinue reading “International Overdose Awareness Day”

A few years ago, I found myself walking a path no one ever dreams of taking– the grief journey due to child loss. Although death is part of the circle of life, child loss, which is an out of order death is particularly heart-breaking. When my daughter, Melanie ran ahead to heaven unexpectedly my heartContinue reading “Healing My Heart: Step by Small Step”

There are certain times in life we never forget. Like the day you got married, or the day your children were born. Other times we never forget, but with a more solemn memory is the day our loved ones died. It was 45 years ago today that my dad was killed in a car accident.Continue reading “Times in Life We Never Forget”

Since your loved one died have you found yourself thinking about heaven? I have to admit I never thought about it much … until my girl was no longer walking this earth. Once I could no longer see her with my natural eyes my wonder about heaven increased exponentially. Who will I see when IContinue reading “What is Heaven Like? I Can Only Imagine”

One of the recent heartfelt questions I’ve been asked by other moms who find themselves on the grief journey is, will I ever get over this intense feeling of grief and sadness? Which has led to the next question: what does healing from grief really mean? There have certainly been times when I’ve asked myselfContinue reading “What Does Healing from Grief Really Mean?”

I’ve often said that walking through the grief journey is like the ocean; it comes in waves. While that is still true, I’ve often felt more like a boxer in the middle of the ring, fighting for my life. Knocked down, but not knocked out! As I continue to move onward there are still momentsContinue reading “Knocked Down, But Not Knocked Out”

It seems like I am continually learning lessons as I walk this grief journey. One of those lessons is something I will freely admit I still struggle with. After loss, how can we battle worry and the what if scenarios that can plague our minds? Recently, it became very apparent to me that the traumaContinue reading “After Loss: Battling Worry and the What If Scenarios”

The month of July has been designated as Bereaved Parents Month. As a parent who has a child who ran ahead to heaven, I believe there is never a time when we don’t miss our child(ren). Personally, I don’t think someone needed to designate a month on the calendar to remind me there is suchContinue reading “July – Bereaved Parents Month: Missing Our Child(ren)”

Recently I was the guest speaker at an event and after it was over someone came up and asked me exactly that question: Are you over your grief yet? The question seemed to come from a pure place and seemed quite sincere, yet it momentarily took me by surprise. It’s been a while since someoneContinue reading “Are You Over Your Grief Yet?”

Have you ever lost someone you love? Have you found yourself on this dark, lonely road called grief, searching for hope during loss? From the moment I first heard the words, “your daughter Melanie is deceased” my life as I knew it was forever changed. If you have suffered an unexpected loss you know exactlyContinue reading “Searching for Hope During Loss”

Soon after Melanie died a friend came by to visit. He brought me a beautiful gratitude journal. It was a very sweet gesture but if I’m honest, I thought it was an odd gift to give someone during this time. If I had been one of those cartoon characters on television where a “bubble ofContinue reading “Faith, Gratitude and My Dark Alley Friends”

Every time I think about dancing I think of happy times, like dancing with my husband at our wedding. Or the fun times I had as a young girl attending the Friday night dances at church. But did you ever equate dancing with grief? I didn’t until recently. While watching an awards show on televisionContinue reading “The Dance of Grief”

At some point in our lives, we will all experience the loss of a loved one. Whether it be a parent, a spouse, or like me, the unexpected loss of a child. Death summons up the deepest of emotions and can make the strongest believer question their faith. Have you ever found yourself asking, “WhereContinue reading “Where Are You God?”

Typically, the end of May is a time to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer. We attend end of school parties, graduations, and summertime vacation plans are made. Instead, this year as many across our nation begin this tradition, there are 21 families in a small town in southern Texas whoseContinue reading “Trying to Process the Incomprehensible”

Grief is difficult, intricate, and very complex. I think anyone walking this grief journey would surely agree. But did you know that someone actually labeled grief, normal vs. complicated? The reference suggests that the type of grief a person has is dependent on the amount of time one has been grieving? Apparently medical science hasContinue reading “Labeling Grief: Normal vs. Complicated”

When I began blogging I told myself I wouldn’t post simply to post. If I didn’t have anything worthwhile to share I would simply keep on moving and see how I felt the following week. Well, this week was the first time I actually felt as though I had nothing to give anyone. Instead ofContinue reading “Anger: How Grief’s Silence Be Deafening”

I’m sure there are many of us breathing a sigh of relief this week. Holidays are hard without our loved ones. There is so much anticipation and expectation associated with each one. Mother’s Day can be very bittersweet. Maybe you’re a person without a mother. Or maybe you’re a mother without your child. Either way,Continue reading “The Aftershocks of a Holiday”

Have you ever asked yourself, Why Me? Perhaps you’ve wondered why your life has unfolded like it has. Do you feel as if your life is a mess? Maybe you’ve looked around and it appeared as if everyone around you seemed to be living their best life, except you. I’m not suggesting we beginContinue reading “How a Mess Can Become Your Message”

When we lose someone we love I think it’s absolutely natural to feel as though our grief will last forever. I know I have felt that way and have voiced this exact sentiment to others who have lost loved ones. But will our grief really last forever? I believe the answer to that is aContinue reading “Will Our Grief Really Last Forever?”