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.
What was Owed and Given
It was only after giving his dad’s eulogy that Mark realised how little he knew about the man. He had spent hours trying to draft something heartfelt and even after writing the words he felt empty. Not because he felt any grief, mind you. He just didn’t care.
By Jarrod Hogan6 years ago in Families
"Her dad's belongings"
She was grieving as they cleaned out her dad's belongings. The workshop was full of boxes: rusty hinges, light sockets, outlets, and old paint cans. There was even a wall of vintage license plates. There were hand tools, jars of nails, and screws. Decades worth of things her dad saw value in. They found his pipes and tobacco. The hall closet was full of his sweatshirts and sweaters with pockets full of mints and lifesavers. They weren’t just belongings; they represented the lifetime of one special man. And oh, how she found it so difficult to part with it all.
By Debbie Couture6 years ago in Families
Lessons of Life and Love
Laura sat by her grandmother's bedside, trying her best to be strong. Heavy rain hissed at the windowpane, almost drowning out the sounds of the hospital machines that surrounded the room. Laura kept her focus on her Grandma who was breathing faintly and raggedly through her oxygen mask. Her Grandma Abigail, so strong and fierce throughout her life now looked incredibly, miserably frail.
By K.J. Smith6 years ago in Families
Five Years and I'm Still Missing You
I do not know how we forgive ourselves for the all things we did not say before it was too late. That’s a line from the poem I just read. A line ever beautiful and wise in its utterings. It’s been a long time since I’ve found something that gave me so much inspiration in just a moment. In fact, it was as long ago as middle school, when you left, with Shane Koyczan’s “When I Was a Kid”. His words spoke to me, though I couldn’t relate to much of what he was saying.
By Emma Gillham6 years ago in Families
Ireland.
The scene played back like a film reel, with sparkling flickers of sunlight obstructing her vision, warming her skin. The grass was even more green than she remembered it, and what were sounds like canned laughter filled her ears, overwhelming her. Jane felt herself swell with tears, and she cried out for mom. Everything was so tall from her height so far down; it was scary. But it wasn't long before loving, protective arms scooped her up and held her close. "Aw, it's okay, dolly." her mother cooed, "Don't cry."
By Miranda Marini6 years ago in Families
I Am My Father's Keeper
Nothing is more beautiful than the past, but in this present moment, as I can only imagine how worse it will be in the future. My past is merely a shattered window whence looked through, one can only see pieces of a life that could have been. I do not even know the names of these people sitting next to me. They were always loving and supportive of me whenever we did cross paths, like an estranged family member. I haven’t seen them since I was a little kid. It is a shame that things like this have to happen to bring people closer together. I miss the old days and my childhood days; he made sure I had the best birthdays. The choir is singing idyllic lyrics but their angelic voices are muffled by my thoughts of the past. I remember this birthday the most from when I was a vibrant and joyous child; this time he had a whole section of the bowling alley just for my friends and I. Usually, I would be gifted video games or the newest released basketball shoes, but this year he gave me this little black book. It is a story about a young boy that finds a lamp that produces a genie with three wishes for the child. I am the kid the book is about. After I finished reading it, I jumped around frolicking in front of him as he bellowed his signature laugh that everyone knew him for that could be heard from a mile away.
By Leland Lewis6 years ago in Families
Rewind
Rewind By Pat McManus An annoying smoke alarm with a dying battery BEEPS in the distance as Paige, 34, climbs the steps carrying the laundry. She walks by the kitchen where her boyfriend’s daughter, Maddy, age 13, eats ice cream. Paige clenches her teeth, “I just ordered pizza!”
By Patricia Mc Manus6 years ago in Families
Evelyn's Legacy
My grandmother Evelyn passed away unexpectedly three days before my thirteenth birthday. She and I had always been close. My family’s house was only a few blocks down the street from the senior living facility where my grandmother resided, which was situated on the corner of Maple Avenue. As a child, I would go see her every afternoon after school let out. I loved going to see her; she had the most bubbly personality that had a way of making all of your troubles go away. Grandma Evelyn was my rock when I got older and started having problems at school.
By Amanda Tiffany6 years ago in Families
