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.

Child Loss
Nearly two years ago, after a successful, stress free pregnancy, which was greatly received, after two miscarriages before that. Knowing that I’d passed the three month danger zone, the rest would be a breeze. Turning off the podcasts that had been about miscarriages and baby loss—I didn’t need to listen to anything like this, as if my baby would die now that the danger zone had passed. I allowed myself the freedom of having a glass of wine on the weekend, as my baby kicked away in my belly. I allowed myself to completely relax and unwind, all felt so well. I allowed myself to look for names for the baby, buy a few things for the little one for when it arrived. I wouldn’t find out the sex, as I wanted that to be a surprise, deep down I knew he was a boy though. The last few hours he had been really kicking, doing a final dance in my belly, before coming out into the world.
By Karen7 years ago in Families
Diary of a Working Housewife
Thursday March 21, 2019 10:45 AM: The loss of a child is an all-consuming sadness that takes you to places you never thought existed. Whether by death or by circumstances, the all too painful experience makes you question your own existence. I, myself, have lost a child to miscarriage and another to circumstance. When I miscarried, I mourned, and with time I accepted this painful experience.
By Azaris Morales7 years ago in Families
Losing a Sibling
My oldest brother, Arthur Jr., always looked out for his younger siblings. I remember him making things for me at school and presenting them to me, his baby sister, with so much pride. He was in the third grade by the time I was born. He and I never even went to the same school due to our age difference. Although we became distant for a few years as adults, by the time he and his third wife separated, we were close again.
By Valerie Furr-Collins7 years ago in Families
Having a Miscarriage
At age 20, I experienced something I never wish I would ever experience in my life, losing a child. So I am going to give you a back story on what happened.
By Theo Holt8 years ago in Families
Take My Hand Not My Life
Things that I never told you are immense, heavy and deep. The secrets that I keep are a thousand times greater than the ones we share when we eat. I think this at times as I sit across from my friends at our favorite restaurants. I wonder how many hold secrets they never speak about? Maybe it is time that we all just stop trying to be so strong, and admit that we hurt too. Men hurt too.
By LG Reagon8 years ago in Families
My Mother's Pots. Top Story - March 2019.
It's ungraciously early on a biting spring morning and I'm watching my youngest son haring across the school tarmac, little chuffs of steam trailing his wake in the white March sunlight, and I'm crying. Not with the sentimentality such inevitable maternal unbridling provokes—nor icy panic caused by my nest emptying at an alarming rate. I'm crying because the canteen staff are cooking meat and onions, and I'm remembering my mothers shepherd's pie.
By J M Hunter8 years ago in Families
Is It Too Late Now?
The clocks strikes 3 PM, the sound of a key being hit against the metal door signaling our arrival. Inaudible commotion is heard as the wooden door opens and I see the welcoming smile of my grandma. As soon as I enter the humble home, every sense in my body is stimulated; my eyes follow everyone gathering around the dining table. I can smell the chili and feel the warmness of my grandpa's menudo. The smell is so strong I can almost taste it, but I'm interrupted by the screams and eager hugs of my nieces. It is another Sunday at my grandparents' house. It is memories embedded in my mind.
By Vanessa Lozano8 years ago in Families
How My Family Broke Me, a Story About Surviving a Narcissistic Family
I’m angry. Bottled up frustration and anger is not healthy for anyone, even those involved. One person can only be pushed so far before they crack and the flood gates open.
By Christina Scanlon8 years ago in Families
My Journey Through My Dad’s Cancer
In February of 2018, I left work early. I work at a factory and just wasn’t feeling it that day. My mom and I came through the door and my dad was home. He was disabled, so he didn’t work. My mom worked with me. He was excited to see that my mom and I were home. He asked if everything was okay. We both told him yes. He sat my mom down and told her he had stage four esophageal cancer, which was caused by acid reflux.
By Amber Hartley8 years ago in Families
Eight and Not Even 24 Hours
The way the world rotates is a peculiar thing. Rotation isn’t even perfect, no. In fact, it lays tilted on its side like a sad blanket sealed over the arm of a chair that once belonged to your late loved one. This is factual, yet we question why. Why does it take the world 24 hours to complete a spin? Why are apartments called that when they are so clearly built together, and why… why do good people die?
By McKy Sillitoe8 years ago in Families
The Butler
July The windows are down, but there’s no wind blowing through my hair right now and I can smell the pungent odor of the bay. Mimi would actually have to be doing the speed limit for me to even get a small gust, but I am okay with that because it would probably amplify the smell coming in. Most people would be disgusted with the scent, but for me it means we’ve almost reached Wildwood. I’m used to the extended drive down the beach, but Mim hates taking highways or main roads so it takes longer than usual. That means for the past two hours I’ve been staring at farmland. It sounds worse than it is. I love the view of the beautiful orchards splattered with color from all the fruits and vegetables growing out in the fields. While we drive Mimi tells me stories of when she was younger and talks about how much everything has changed. Like how the road me and my mom would normally take to drive down, Rt. 347, didn’t even exist when my family first bought the house down Wildwood. She reminisces about when the house was still new, a one story house with red shingle siding and a white roof. The porch has a little gate at the top of the steps to keep all the children inside and away from the street. We’re one of the lucky houses with our own driveway and it leads right to the backyard. When we finally pull the car in, the first thing I notice is our shed that stores all of our beach supplies. Growing up, Mimi and my Aunt Anne always called it a "hoodle" and to this day I’m still not sure it’s a real word. I try to imagine what it would have been like to grow up in the same time period as Mim. It’s hard to imagine, but these car rides together make it seem more real and it’s some of the best times we have together.
By Katelyn D8 years ago in Families
My Experience Losing Someone Close
My life is a roller coaster of crazy events, I have probably experienced more than the average person has, and I am not even 30 yet. I think I have gone through enough tragedy now to last a lifetime, but I am sure I will experience more. I also spend a lot of time alone, now and when I was younger, so I self-reflect a lot... Doing so has taught me a lot about myself, who I am and where I am going. I also think a lot about the past, and what I have learned from my experiences, why they happened, and who I became because of it. I know now that with every up, and every down I experienced, I learned a lot of valuable lessons.
By Osana Lindsay8 years ago in Families