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.
Alone: Losing Both Parents at 25
I was just 25 years old when I lost both of my parents. My father was always the sick one. He was diagnosed with cancer when I was around 14 years old. I vividly remember the day he and my mom sat my brother and I down to tell us the news at the dinner table. It was the first time I ever saw my parents cry. I remember getting up from the table to get a box of tissues and offer it to each member of my family, as they tearfully explained what was ahead. Radiation, chemotherapy, prognosis—all of these words that at the time I had no idea what they meant. All I knew was that my dad may lose his life soon.
By Veronica Thor7 years ago in Families
Cousin Natalie: Yes We Will Save Your Seat!
Play SAVE YOUR SEAT on Sound Cloud. Natalie was only 65 years old when she passed away from esophageal cancer in the summer of 2017. She was my first cousin, my father’s younger brother’s eldest daughter. For an entire year, I hadn’t heard from Natalie and found it odd every time I called, I got her voicemail and she never returned my calls. A few months before she passed away, I attended a cousin’s reunion and her younger sister Arlene, told me that she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t make it. In the back of my mind, I knew something was wrong.
By Lewis Papier7 years ago in Families
Living After the Death of a Loved One
Almost 14 years ago, we got married in New Orleans. It was four days before Hurricane Katrina came through and we ended up losing everything. But we fought through it and managed to come out on top. Little did we know that in 201,5 she would have been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of uterine cancer that would change our life completely.
By Mike Cunningham7 years ago in Families
How a Kia Soul Restored Pieces of My Missing Soul
Did I tell you that 18 months ago I had a stroke? I was very lucky, I had no long lasting effects, as I walked out of the hospital able to move freely and talk. But the stroke did leave a long lasting scar, as it terrified the rubbish out of my immediate family and when I returned home, they began to act as if I was an invalid. They did not want me to drive or resume my independence as it was before my stroke. Yet they went on living their lives without me. I sat recuperating on the couch with various magazines and the television clicker, very lonely and frustrated. I became depressed with a lot of anxiety, which was being treated with various antidepressants along with my blood thinners and medications to treat the stroke.
By Debbie Lewis7 years ago in Families
Travel as Therapy
Traveling has always been part of my life, and as I sit on a plane headed back to Virginia, a few thoughts float through my head. Zakaria and I are next to each other while Leena and Aamir are at the back of the plane. I used to insist on being in the middle of Hadi and Zakaria. I now look over at Zakaria watching Star Wars, and it occurs to me that, while I miss all the bizarre conversations my sons had, particularly on family trips, I know Hadi made his presence known while we were in Cancun. Whether it was the beautiful yellow bird that consistently greeted us, or our salesperson having a twin brother, there was no way Hadi wasn’t being thought of at some point. Also, as an aside, our salesperson’s name was Esteban, and I am surprised Zakaria didn’t mention anything about crayons in front of him. ;)
By Saira Sufi7 years ago in Families
Penguins
I remember one day my mom and I were driving alone in her car, and she had a very serious talk with me. She told me she had about six months to live. She was about 58 years old at that time, but had suffered through many medical issues in her life. She had been a stroke survivor, had a heart attack, and even a bout with spiral meningitis. I was shocked when I heard the news, still, even though she, and as a result, all of us, her family, had been through so much.
By Marc Sander7 years ago in Families
Losing Parents
When I was younger, I never thought I would ever lose my mother or my stepfather. I know that sounds awful. Like most people, I fought with my mother quite a bit. I guess you could say I even rebelled a little. When I turned 18, I joined a traveling carnival. I spent a few months traveling and living the whole drama-fueled life of a carney. I operated a game where you picked a color and a little rat went into a hole and if it was your color, you win. I wanted to be my own person and thought that not living with my mother would give me more freedom. It did to a point, but the carnival life just wasn't my thing. I left there and went to northern Michigan to live with my stepdad. This hurt my mother's feelings very much. The reason I chose this was so she couldn't control my life like I thought she wanted to. I grew up and started a family of my own.
By Joni Webber7 years ago in Families
