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.
The Old Dog
My first memory was of his warm face. Brown, like caramel, and with kind, big eyes, gazing into me, sharing in my joy. What joy? Well, I suppose it was the joy of my being here. I had just been introduced to life, and he had just been introduced to me. As family members and close friends clustered into that small space to see me, I knew his chest swelled with pride, and everyone gave him kind pats and warm words.
By The Chronicler4 years ago in Families
My Dad the Bear. Top Story - July 2022.
The call came at 2:30am on June 30th, 2010. A call that jolts you from your sleep in the middle of the night is never a good call. I don’t remember the exact conversation, only phrases like "sepsis" and “massive heart attack” and “we did everything possible” and “we’re very sorry.”
By Heather Hagy4 years ago in Families
With Love, There's Always a Place to Land. Top Story - July 2022.
It all started with an email from my cousin Suzie’s daughter Raven. On a Sunday evening, I read: “My father (Dave) is very ill, and I am hoping if I get his old license plates to you with some small watch faces you could make two small birdhouses. I want them to look like my parents’ house, with the same bright green door. I know you’re busy. As long as one gets done for my parents, mine can wait. I’m hoping if it gets done my dad will come back as a type of bird to visit them.”
By Catherine Kenwell4 years ago in Families
To My First Love
I had not thought of you in quite some time. Oh, every now and then, your distant memory would come to the windows of my world and look in for just awhile. You and your blue eyes and snarky smile were whimsically seen but swiftly dismissed. But this time, well....you demanded to be let in. You intruded very unexpectedly, in fact.
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Families
Have you ever had a dream come true?
I had a dream come true in 2018. Ever since then, I have had almost a fear of dreaming. I don’t want to know what is about to come. I don’t want any signs. Because I obsess over it. I lose sleep over it. I can’t help but think about it and try to break down everything I remember and look up what it may mean and try to decipher what the hell is going on.
By Ashlie Cross4 years ago in Families
My memories of my parents
My Father was born in Holwerd, Friesland, the Netherlands on July 30, 1929 to Pieter and Aaltje van der Woude who farmed outside of Holwerd. My Father was the third child of five children born to them, Egbert, Djoke, Paulus, little Lammert (who died as a baby) and Lammert.
By Lorne Vanderwoude4 years ago in Families
Hush Little Baby
A flash of bright blood appears. Just like any normal month. The most primal need; yet something continually beyond her reach. She’s screaming inside but nobody hears her moans. Seeing a pregnant, glowing woman each day – boasting that beautiful, swollen belly for the entire world to see. It’s like a kick in the teeth; or empty womb, rather. The nappy ads on TV. The strollers. The ‘Baby on Board’ car window signs. The children’s birthday party invitations. The assumptions people make; she’s selfish, or just doesn’t want kids. (Little do they know). She can’t escape. It feels like a cruel joke. It’s suffocating. Her bones ache. Her heart yearns. Her head throbs. Her hands tremble. Every birthday. Every Christmas. Time passes but nothing changes. She waits. She waits. And she waits… What will ever numb this devastating grief?
By Vicky Keenan4 years ago in Families
It Was Complicated
I never knew my father with anything but silver hair. He was fifty-seven when I was born. My father had an almost genius IQ, but he also had many problems that kept him from succeeding. He was a paranoid schizophrenic at a time when there was no medication for the mental disorder. My father was also bipolar, and being bipolar myself, I can tell you it is a complex disorder.
By Denise Willis4 years ago in Families
