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.
Grandpa Gave me the Moon
When I was 8 I watched the moon landing. I wasn’t actually alive for the real moon landing but my grandpa had a video and an old player for it in his shed. He was ‘saving it for a rainy day’. I was one of the few kids in my class who knew what a video was and wasn’t accustomed to DVDs and (soon) Bluray. It has occurred to me, since then, that my younger family members may only remember Netflix as a source of on-demand entertainment.
By Tarryn Richardson6 years ago in Families
The one where cancer won
When I was 13 years old, my sister and I had moved to my new house with my mom after my parent's divorce, sadly, I had to leave behind my friends and most of my family. My new school was about the same size as my old school so it wasn't that hard to adjust. My dad got partial custody of my sister and me, so we went and visited every weekend. Every Saturday my friend Brook and I would meet up and talk about everything that was happening in each other lives that the other didn't know about. Her life was taking a turn that I wouldn't have been able to handle. Brook, without crying, had told me that she was diagnosed with leukemia. This wasn't easy for me to hear because I knew I wasn't able to help her through this when I lived so far away from her.
By Tiana Dryden6 years ago in Families
Warning: Pandemic May Include Side Effects
This pandemic killed my mother. No, she didn’t have the coronavirus, but I do believe the stress and loneliness of isolation killed her. She had pulmonary fibrosis, chronic pneumonia, and a smorgasbord of other health issues including a previous bout with stage four cancer and a baker’s dozen back surgeries. Following the death of her husband, she struggled to adapt to living alone for the first time in her life. The truth is she was sad and dying long before any lockdowns were sanctioned, but my grieving heart wants something to blame. Global chaos and a national emergency seem like as good of excuses as any. I believe the isolation was just too much when combined with the uncertainty of being able to hold her tribe again.
By Jodi George-Wilkinson6 years ago in Families
Cries
Listening to your cries was the hardest thing I knew, knowing I couldn't help you feel better..knowing I didn't understand what you were thinking. Often times I walked away when all you needed was comfort, and now I understand when it's too late because I'm dealing with it all now too. No one understands how I feel, what I am thinking and it's frustrating.
By Brea McDade6 years ago in Families
Not Right now, is okay
She was gorgeous. If gorgeousness was packaged, she was the type you had to order from a special organic brand which would be mailed to you in 4 – 5 business days. Those in the village she lived in were lucky to catch so much as a glimpse of her walking past. Her name was Usiku.
By Melanie Munda6 years ago in Families
What's the Price for Your Precious Moments?
Everyone knows you can't put a price on life's moments, but we have a habit of letting them slip by anyway. With today's busy schedule and need to pay bills, we find ourselves on auto pilot and miss out on the simple things. More importantly life's most precious and priceless moments.
By Shawna Williamson 6 years ago in Families
Just Breathing
I am sitting in the same spot where you took your last breath with tears streaming down my face. I should not be here alone. You should be here next to me. Breathing. Just breathing. Not hooked up to an oxygen tank or to tubes with chemo flowing through. Just breathing. I begin to think about all the memories we shared in the short amount of time I got to spend with you, all the wise words you had said, all the hugs you gave, and all of the truths you had instilled in me since I was young. You supported me in everything I did. You always cheered me on.
By Loren Abell6 years ago in Families
