Caring for yourself
Eighteen
By: Autumn Purdy “… I find sweet peace in depths of autumn woods, Where grow the ragged ferns and roughened moss; The naked, silent trees have taught me this,— The loss of beauty is not always loss!” From “November” by Elizabeth Drew Stoddard I awaken from a vivid, haunting dream and remorsefully remember: She’d be…
Read MoreGoing Back to Work After a Loss
Going back to work after a loss is challenging. Often you are a imitation of your former self, making it difficult to get through the work day. The suggestions given are intended to lessen your stress and know that your are not alone.
Read MoreJoy as a Lifejacket
By: Rose Carlson I have cried so much this year That I’ve almost drowned. So, when you see me smile Don’t think I’m no longer in the water— Understand that my joy is a lifejacket. ~ Elisabet Velasquez As I was perusing Instagram early one morning, the above quote showed up in my feed. I…
Read MoreStaying Connected to Your Baby
During the times that I am missing my boy, I put on his playlist and feel close to him, while usually having a good cry alone in my car, as well.
Read MoreWhen Our Heart’s Hurt: Unveiling The Face Of Grief
By: Ann-Marie Ferry A few years back my husband and I decided to take the dull winter months of the Midwest to read to each other in the evenings. I am a lifelong fan of C.S. Lewis. The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters are among my favorites. My husband, Jon, is…
Read MoreThe Emotions You Experience During Your Grief
By: Shawanna Allen Numbness, Confusion, Anger, Pain, Shame, Emptiness, and Sadness In no particular order are the aforementioned all the emotions I experienced on August 8th when I, in my heart knew and then affirmed by the emergency room doctor that I was indefinitely having a miscarriage. Prior to this day I had been back…
Read MoreBaggage Claim
Coping with grief through a pandemic, finding strength and support during a time of social distancing.
Read MoreHelping Others Help You Through Loss
By: Molly Hickey Sipping coffee and sitting across from a long time friend, we talked about the weather, her kids, our jobs, and husbands. With each break in the conversation, I hoped she would ask about Joseph and Grace. I hoped she’d ask about how I am navigating the grieving process, ask how it felt to be back at work when I was…
Read MoreThe Gift of Perspective
By: Sharon Schumack I recently read a magazine article about aging constructively that asked its readers the following questions: What were some of the most challenging experiences in your life? How did you get through them? What pushed you forward? I didn’t have to think very hard. The answers popped into my head immediately. The…
Read MoreFacing Grief Together
By: Ann-Marie Ferry In the days following Kuyper’s stillbirth I grieved visibly through tears and sobs. My husband, Jon, remained stoic, emotionally detached from the reality which we faced. We went on this way for several weeks following delivery. After a long day at work, he walked through our front door, outraged, talking about a…
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