-
Thoughts for the New Year
Rudyard Kipling, in his book Bridge Building, says, “Never look backward, or you’ll fall down the stairs.” This statement, in the context of his book, inspires serious philosophical and existential questions related to the duality between science and the spiritual. Still, it also evokes a fear of looking back at where so much of life…
-
Pathfinder
To a man, we are stepping into Christmas with much trepidation or resignation. Without our wives, it is, for some, a terrible time and, for others, at best, a melancholy time. For me, this year will be melancholy. But I told my grief therapist today (whom I still see twice a month) that there is…
-
Holiday Greetings
So here we are again. Another Holiday season. This marks the 5th consecutive crazy Christmas for me. Christmas in 2018 had my late wife Joyce just completing her first round of a terrible chemotherapy. By Christmas 2019 she had passed away. We all know how the first Christmas goes. Then came 2020 and that silly…
-
Take some time this holiday season to honor your loved one
Hard to believe, but another year is quickly ending. The holidays mark when family and friends celebrate our traditions and enjoy the festivities associated with those sacred traditions. My late wife, as I have stated previously, loved the holidays. It was her time to say thanks, and I love you to our family and friends.…
-
Gratitude as a weapon against grief and anxiety!
On the verge of Thanksgiving, it would be apropos to discuss GRATITUDE as a means to counter GRIEF. These two antithetical sentiments are not innate to a widow or widower. Gratitude is a decision to consciously be aware of the positive in your life, notwithstanding all the negative and painful aspects. Grief will…
-
Grief on Thanksgiving Day
Grief on Thanksgiving Day can happen even when you feel grateful. But there are times when you don’t feel that way. Greif on Thanksgiving Day is normal if you just lost a loved one or if the day is a trigger for you. Most people are planning their holiday meal wrapped around friends, turkey, pumpkin…
-
It’s the Holiday Season, and Grief doesn’t take a break
Yes, it is that time of the year again. It’s when family and friends gather to celebrate the special days: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, punctuated by office parties, friends gathering to share a meal, some drinks, and a bunch of laughs and lots of good times. They are described in word and song as…
-
Surviving the Holidays
Many will tell you that within a week of your wife’s passing, you must steel yourself against the trauma of upcoming special days and holidays. We each are likely to have very different experiences during these special days. Your reaction will depend on how important and memorable each of those days was for you and…
-
Grief and the Holidays
Cynthia talks about how to best navigate grief as the holidays approach. She shares helpful tips for both the grieving person as well as their friends and family.
-
Home for the Holidays? Finding my “New Normal”
My Dear Brothers, For the last article that I have the privilege of sharing with you this year, I want to share the article that started it all for me. In 2015, the Heartland Hospice Association asked me to contribute an article for their Holiday Newsletter. With Herb’s indulgence and your patience, I would like…
Widowers Support Network 