grief
Losing a family member is one of the most traumatic life events; Families must support one another to endure the five stages of grief and get through it together.
Tom
It’s 3 am on September 28, 2021. I am crying in the passenger seat of my boyfriend’s car as we deliver newspapers. It has only been a few hours since we heard of Tom’s passing. We are both in shock, even though it makes little sense for us to be. Neither of us knew Tom personally and yet there is a grief in our car that cannot be ignored or denied.
sleepy draftsPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesThe day superman cried
I remember it like it was yesterday, it's only gotten a little blurry. This chain of events that changed my life and I'm sure a few more. I got there and waddled inside. "Mom, I'm so tired of being pregnant". She turned smiled and gave me a quick squeeze, "sit down, put your feet up". I did as she said but looked at her suspiciously. She hands me her phone as she starts to explain " I have my procedure tomorrow, I can't take my phone. Last time I left it with Michele she went over on the minutes and it cost me two hundred dollars. So emergency calls only until after 7pm, you can two- way your dad if you need anything. Please listen for it, he ran out of gas last week and I had to save him." I could tell she is nervous, I had some how completely forgotten about her appointment. My mom wasn't the nervous type, she handled everything. I'm sitting there 9 months pregnant, feet on the table, just staring at her. She glanced at me to try to get a read. Then she continued " your aunt Lisa is taking me in, I should be home tomorrow night. When you get out of work I need you to swing by and get dinner going for your dad. Just get the stuff out of the freezer and get it going in the crockpot. It should be done when he gets home. I'll have Lisa let you know how it went and when to expect me home so you can tell your dad." I hadn't said a word, I was as content as a pig in mud. It was hot out they had air conditioning, I just worked another 10 hour shift on my feet. My toes looked like sausages, my feet were throbbing and I still couldn't remember what this procedure was for. She looked at me waiting for some kind of response. So I rubbed my baby belly and asked " remind me again what this one is for, your done with your foot surgeries right?" She laughed, and started rubbing my belly, she liked to wake him up so she could see him move around. She said " I thought for sure I told you, but this was for that spot on my lung, shop Doctor did an xray and found it". I said " no, I hadn't heard that, last I knew the doctor said it was bronchitis and gave you an inhaler". So now we are looking at each other. I said " I'm sure I would have remembered this one. Did you already tell Jared?" She said " I really thought that I told you. No I didn't tell your brother I didn't want anything to be misconstrued with Michele. You know she will make more out of it than what it is. My doctor gave me the inhaler before your dad and I went on vacation. It's been 2 months and I'm still coughing. Lisa made me go the shop Doctor and they did an xray and found a spot. The appointment tomorrow is to do a biopsy to see what it is. It's an outpatient procedure so Lisa is taking me. That way your dad doesn't have to sit up there and wait." I don't know, she seemed okay telling me. She seemed less nervous now.
Jessica BarberPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesMoo Cow Henry
They say as we age we don’t leave our younger selves behind, but that the selves that we were just have layers of years and experience added to the mix. So when the 60 something women I knew in my 20’s said, ‘you know I don’t feel 60- I still feel like I’m 20 inside’' they meant the 20 year old still lives on just in an older body and with a little more wisdom. I recall politely validating their observation nodding in agreement, yet callously thinking they should look in a mirror.
PK BrannonPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesThe Accident
The good die young. I had heard this simple phrase numerous times before. Hearing these words meant nothing, prior to the events that shattered my life as I knew it.
Anthony LaMontPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesOct 8th
Everyone has a moment when everything changes. One small moment that changes the course of the rest of their lives. For me, my life as I knew it ended on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.
Mackenzie LarsenPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesYou can't Hurt Me I lost Someone I Didn't Even Get to Say Goodbye too.
Throughout my young life I decided at a young age I would be driven, ambitious and an overachiever. I wanted to get alot done when I was young so, I guess that it was done and out of the way. Maybe, I felt pressure from my parents as they were older and the fact was I wanted them to see me accomplish a lot throughout their lifetimes. I wanted them to be in awe of how wonderful and driven their daughter was. When I look at my life now and some of the things I have accomplished, I am definitely proud of myself and my hard work.
Avril DoucettePublished 3 years ago in FamiliesUnexpected Event
Unexpected Event It feels as if it was yesterday. My boyfriend, at the time, and I went to lunch. He took me to meet his grandmother. We approached an intersection. My boyfriend thought it was a 4-way stop, but it was only a 2-way stop. I remember seeing a glare.
Kelly VedderPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesFare Thee Well, Tom
Ours was a long distance friendship at first simply based on mutual respect for our love of writing and engaging with others doing the same.
Paula ShabloPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesCoping With Death During The Pandemic
Death never comes at a good time. A pandemic is the worst time to lose a loved one. Everyone is advised not to travel and gather, no matter the occasion.
Jordan MendiolaPublished 3 years ago in Families07/15/2009
The following is a snippet of a major chapter in my memoir that I have been working on for years. It is my life story(ies), but with a Wizard of Oz twist:
Steven RicePublished 3 years ago in FamiliesGrowing Up Overnight
I’ve often made the joke that I was born nearly grown, an old soul my closest friends call me. I remember laying in bed as a child trying to contemplate the meaning of life and death. I’m still trying to figure that one out. I always wanted to grow up in a hurry. I didn’t want to waste my time in elementary and middle school, I was wanted to start my career in saving the world. Looking back, I can better understand that way of thinking. In hindsight, it was because of personal heartbreaks from a painfully early age that had a much bigger impact on me that I am only recently realizing existed.
Judith JaschaPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesFleeting Perennials
The peony is considered "The Queen of the Flowers." It symbolizes strength and righteousness in the face of adversity. Perennials are flowers that rebloom year after year. Most perennials live 5-15 years. The peony, however, is special. It can withstand the winter and blossom in the spring for up to 100 years or more. If my granny were a flower, she'd be a peony. Resilient, strong, and beautiful. Just like a peony, I assumed she would be around for years to come.
Caitlin HumphreysPublished 3 years ago in Families