Last week I was standing in my kitchen when my heart sank as I remembered that February 28, 2018 will be the ten-year anniversary of my moms’ passing. I also realized that both mom and Claude died in leap years, what are the chances! Tears instantly filled my eyes and I soon found myself sobbing. … More Remembering Mom After Ten Years
This will be my sixth Christmas since my husband Claude’s suicide. Over time my heartache has lessened considerably. But I will always feel the pain of his absence in the recesses of my heart. With each year it has become abundantly clear that making a conscious choice to take care of myself around the holidays … More Tending To Our Grief & The Holiday Blues
I have been working on my memoir over the past few months, writing about my experiences since my husband Claude died by suicide over five years ago. On the surface as I have faced this unimaginable loss it might appear that feeling any sense of gratitude would be elusive or unattainable. However, as I review … More Grief And Gratitude This Thanksgiving
As we approach the end of October the season is ripe for honoring our beloved ones who have passed with traditions such as the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead being just one of the many. Ultimately we can choose to honor or celebrate our loved ones’ memories in any number of ways that feel … More Honoring Our Beloveds While We Grieve
Have you been feeling the effects of our global transformation these days? I know I have. I can’t help but think that many of us are feeling grief on some level in the midst of this metamorphosis. The need to feel safe and secure is part of being human. However, we are now living in … More Grief and Our Shattered Sense of Security
I am feeling grateful and renewed after spending a week in Southern CA. I went there to spend some quiet time by the sea with one of my beloved soul sisters and her family, and to reclaim my connection to the Pacific coast.I had forgotten how blissful it is to walk barefoot on the beach … More Lifelines: Keeping Us Afloat As We Grieve
For days now it seems that every time I look out the window or sit out on my patio I see the graceful and seemingly effortless flight of a Yellow Swallowtail butterfly. On my morning walks I see tiny white butterflies, sometimes in groups, that dance and fly as if they are celebrating life in … More What The Butterfly Can Teach Us About Grief
This week has been a challenge for me. Grief has revealed itself within the perfectly positioned bookends of my wedding anniversary last Sunday and Father’s Day this Sunday. With this one-two punch it’s hard to avoid the emotional triggers of these two significant days. The pain of not only my father’s absence but Claude’s too on … More On Father’s Day: Wielding the Power Of Gratitude As I Grieve
I was reminded the other day during a conversation with a friend that today June 11th is my wedding anniversary. In the moment I thought it was odd that I had completely forgotten and that I honestly felt nothing. I remember thinking I would just let the day pass without any acknowledgement whatsoever. However, during … More Love: Still Something To Celebrate Even After We Lose Our Beloved
I felt a sense of peace being back home in Boulder after my awesome visit to Asheville. My heart felt enriched and satisfied. Waking up in my comfy bed that first day back I felt a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm, ready to start this new chapter, this new decade. As I descended the … More Following My Courageous Heart – Part Two