The Upside Down, Alternate Reality of Grief

The world of grief feels like a parallel universe, an Upside Down underworld that one must journey through to reach “Acceptance.” But is Acceptance truly accepted in the Land of the Living? Or is there another place where both darkness and light, both pain and peace can live together?

Grief and Gratitude

Even in the face of death, it is easy to lose perspective and forget the miraculous wonder of everyday life. Rediscover this with me as I explore the tension of grief and gratitude that I have felt on this journey.

A Griever’s Guide to “Harry Potter”

Reading “Harry Potter” through the lens of grief for the first time has opened my eyes to this story’s powerfully intimate portrayal of death, depression, and pain.

Mindfulness for Grief

“I choose to live again.”

Grief can often feel like a thunderstorm raging within you – a battle between the pains of the past and the fears of the future. The cure is mindfulness – finding little ways of reconnecting to the present moment and choosing to live again. Learn some of these techniques here.

Summoning Superhuman Strength

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

You are brave when you have to be. When faced with their child trapped under a car, mothers have been known to summon a superhuman strength to lift the car off of them. After a lifetime of squeamishness, I walked through hell for my children. And now, I will never doubt my strength as a woman again.

The Loneliness of Grief

Grief is lonely.

It is like a shadowy darkness that overcomes you, as you stare Death in the face. The ancients called this desolate place the “Valley of the Shadow of Death.”

Journey with me through this lonesome valley, where even from the depths this week I was able to find joy, friendship, and God.

Survival Songs

Music can touch depths of our soul where nothing else can quite reach. Music can capture the words that our spirits long to say but cannot always find.

These are my survival songs.

Tips for Impatient Sympathy

There is limited patience for people in pain. As the pain lingers, we grow tired and our sympathy grows impatient. Here are some tips to better help those who are hurting over time.

Our Journey To Now (Part 2)

It may be surprising to some, but for me, the grief after the loss of our second pregnancy – even though it only lasted 5 ½ weeks, even though it was for a baby we never knew, never saw, and never named – hit me the hardest, and so far even harder than the stillbirth of our sons.