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.
心への死 (Kokoro e no shi)
What is it like to drown? I hold my breath for as long as I can. I hope it is not some corruption in me that brings her flaws out. When the water and soap are up to my eyes, my mother closes the lid. I am tossed around in a small sea of soap and darkness that she calls a “farm bath”, hoping for the tiniest bit of light. She must think this is fun, but every time I hop into this large container, I don't know if I will die. My eyes sting and my lungs burn, but every time I survive such casual indifference.
"Unacceptable behavior"
Memories of today are sorted in my mind into a file. It is titled "Worst Days of My Life," and this date belongs nowhere else. Today, the glow of everything being more or less OK in my life was blown clean away. One phone call changed it all, as I learned my mother has an aggressive form of a blood cancer that may take her in 18 months or less.
Alice FreistPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesSaying Goodbye To Daddy
I had always been a daddy's girl, he was my hero, my protector and my confidant. Even as an adult I knew that if something went wrong my daddy would fix it.
Rebecca Lynn IveyPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesThe Loss of a Loved One
Did you ever have that one friend that was always there ? The one that was your brother and had your back no matter what ? I have . Today I say goodbye to him even though I don’t know how. I’m writing down these thoughts to try and help me through this, and maybe help someone else in this situation. You live every day and never realize how short life really is till it hits so close to home it tears your life apart. You can’t think, eat , sleep , or move without thinking about the person in question. So many memories , so many plans , so many things left undone never to be finished. For me my best friends death did all of this and more as he was a huge part of my families life. My husband called him his brother and my kids called him uncle. We all planned so many things that now left a gaping whole in our hearts and life. I am starting this on the day of his memorial service so I can work through this as we go. We are preparing to have a memorial bbq and bon fire with other friends as it was Josh’s favorite thing , besides Dungeons and Dragons . No one however has the the emotional strength to play games today. I just keep playing the last conversation we had over and over . Could we have done something to prevent this. He was supposed to be home today he was a truck driver and today started his weeks paid vacation for being with the company for a year. Now we are all mourning Josh instead. This to unreal I just want to wake up as if it’s a dream. My husband is taking it so hard in our eight years of marriage I have only seen him this upset once and that was the birth of our first son Godryc. He was born premature and his heart stopped in my husbands arms . Although that story ends better he is now seven years old and healthy as an ox. He keeps asking how Uncle Josh died and why he died ? I’m not sure how to answer the why none of understand it. Josh was healthy and only twenty- seven years old . So how do explain a healthy young man going to sleep in his truck and never waking up ? I’m so tired of crying . I keep trying to laugh and joke but the tears keep coming. I cant talk without crying another reason for writing this all down as well. WHY WHY DID YOU GO? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE HOW DO WE ALL GO ON WITHOUT YOU?
Rose UlrichPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesWinter memory
Winter of 2009 late evening I remember the first time I’ve ever met my best friends. At first glance Taylor and Tyrone thought I was just another mute kid. I was with my older cousin at the time, they all had planned to go to a sliding party at their grandparents.
Sebastian HarperPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesI Wish I Spend More Time With You
I come from a small but very united family. Growing up, we always did things together, like eating out, celebrate birthdays and more. My dad was mainly behind these activities, so we were slightly more fond of him.
Diane ZievingerPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesMy mother was my home and warmth
Where else can home be found without your mother? But they say home is where the heart is, but what do you do when home leaves you heartless. When home becomes a house, bricks and a roof and insulation, but no insulation from the cold; Of the speech you absorb. From the words you chew, and cough up at 3am. And the roof doesn’t stop the rain, the foundation keeps cracking. And you find your soul homeless. Without your mother.
sahdiya khatoonPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesPieces of Home
Driving up to the old farmhouse that we grew up in as children, was always the routine on special occasions or to celebrate a loved one's birthday that has passed on.
Paige KostyniukPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesWritings on Death and Grief
Over the past almost 6 years since my mom passed away at the age of 65 from alcoholism (and to be totally honest, my dad, brother and I were all quite surprised she made it to the age she did, considering many with that disease don’t make it that long, sadly), I’ve written quite a bit on the subject of death, grief and loss. I’ve come to realize that writing about it has been very cathartic and helpful for me in processing my feelings and my experience of it all. And has continued to be helpful since the passing of three other family members and my furbaby border collie son (all since the beginning of the pandemic).
Caitlin McCollPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesGrief
The day will forever be engraved in my mind. A beautiful, sunny Saturday morning. Initially, one would not suspect that something was wrong, unless they were aware of the situation that was going on.
Christina McClarrenPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesMaking The Most Of Life After Death
This one is for my aunt who was also my Godmother, who raised me right alongside my mother as if I was truly hers when my father was nowhere to be found. I never felt I missed out on anything. I always felt like I had two parents. My mother was the strict one, she was the more lenient one. I'd learn early to go to her when my mother said no. My mother hated that, but it usually led to me getting my way though. In her eulogy, I left out the part about having two moms before having two moms was really a thing. I left it out because most of the crowd were elderly Haitians who probably wouldn't have gotten it anyways.
Nathalie ClairPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesVelma's Final Journey
At home with ALZHEIMER’S It is possible most know of dementia, that crippling disease of the brain; the torturous forgetfulness, that look of being lost, the ever-shuffling feet and unsteady gait. Clothes put in the wrong place; food placed in cupboards instead of the freezer or fridge. It must be a nightmare for those who are afflicted with the traumatic disease, or is it?
Peter BowdenPublished 3 years ago in Families