Too Much “Stuff” Can Cause More Grief
Clutter All Around I’ve spent all summer going through “stuff” at my house, my mom’s house and even my grown kids’ houses and I’m physically exhausted! I’m mentally exhausted even more! “Stuff” has become a dirty word for me. Stuff is anything that is not a necessity, and that’s even ambiguous. It’s the excessive accumulation of belongings, home décor, previous gifts, keepsakes, and many unknown and unidentifiable objects. I believe we all have too much of this stuff and it can overwhelm our homes, closets, kitchen drawers, garages, offices, yards and our entire...
Read MoreGrief of Caregivers
Caregiving on the Rise The number of caregivers in the United States is substantially growing each year. According to the American Academy of Geriatric Psychiatrists, one out of every four American families cares for someone over the age of 50; and this number is only expected to rise. These caregivers are an exceptional group of people that sacrifice their time, energy and freedom to care for a loved one. However, this sacrifice is not without consequence. Caregiving is an honorable position however; it can be taxing on the physical and emotional health of the caregiver. Many caregivers feel...
Read MoreMoving Forward Through Grief
Roadmap for Your Journey Grief comes in all shapes and sizes; every griever is different and each grief situation is unique. Regardless of age, each person goes through a grieving process after a significant loss. The loss may include anyone or anything significant to that person. There’s no particular system for dealing with grief, there’s no exact time frame for healing and there’s no precise definition for recovery. However, there is a roadmap to guide you through this difficult and personal journey and it provides practical activities, encouragement, and hope to anyone experiencing...
Read MoreBefore Grief, There is Reaction to Loss
Reacting to Loss Everyone is different; we’re all aware of that. Everyone deals with situations in a personal and unique way. We should especially be aware that each person reacts to loss in his or her own individual way. There’s no “correct” response to the experiences that cause grief and there’s no right or wrong way to feel. Reactions to loss sometimes cannot be predicted. A person may respond totally different than anticipated. When my dad died, I knew he was going to die and we talked about it; I was even with him when he died. However, when I saw him at the funeral home,...
Read MoreGrieving the “Lost”
A Unique Grief I was talking to a friend of mine recently and I discovered she is grieving the loss of her daughter. What is unique about her grief is that her daughter is still alive. Because of poor choices, her beloved child has taken a path in life that has left her estranged from her family and two young children. Her daughter is not in her life anymore; she is “lost”. The effects of her destructive lifestyle have been devastating to those who love her. With no contact with her daughter whatsoever, my friend is raising her grandchildren without the love and support of their mother....
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