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.

The worst nightmare
This is the last photo she took of her children. She was so excited to take this picture because we had trimmed the girl's hair. She would often dress them in the same kind of clothing, her only two girls whom she loved so very much. The girls were her life, her reason to try and stay sober, but the addiction to drugs and her drinking had won its battle against her struggle, or was it her that finally won.
By Ina Pavila4 years ago in Families
My Mama
When I was 16 my drug addicted father kicked me out of the house and told me "You will be here by seven o'clock to get your stuff or it will be out on the street," life after that became a mess of drugs, parties and couch surfing. There was a family. that no matter what I was going through and no matter how hard life got, they always had my back. One person in the family really gave me the safe space that I needed to work through my troubles. She passed away this last summer and this letter is everything I wish I could say to her.
By Sarah Marchelli4 years ago in Families
Watching my Brother Die...
My brother is dying. I can’t save him, He can’t save himself. My brother is dying because Cancer is sometimes unstoppable,
By Morgan Alber4 years ago in Families
It's all I can do
"It's not fair," he whispered. We sat silently together. Side by side on a park bench by the ocean. Staring out to sea.
By Donald McCullough4 years ago in Families
What Now?
There I sat my head spinning round and round. What had just happened? Is it true? No, No, noooooo, not you? Not my best friend? Not my soul? This is ludacris. But the last 3 weeks had been as such. You just had the flu. A small cough. It was nothing that a little cough syrup and my famous chicken noodle soup wouldn't nip right in the bud.
By Misty Dawn Steagall4 years ago in Families
Vivid Dreaming and the Meaning of It
A Vivid Dream Two months after my son passed away, I had the most beautiful dream. The sky and surrounding area were gray and gloomy. As if I were inside a gray cloud. There was nothing else other than a flight of stairs in a lonely alley. The stairs seemed burnt, blackened by a fire, however, it did not smell of fire. There were many stairs. I could not see where they ended, but I headed up towards wherever they took me to step by step. It was a long journey up the flight of stairs — about a four-hour walk. Every time I took a step; they squeaked. I didn’t know where they would lead to, but it was not scary, nor did I get tired.
By Debbie4 years ago in Families
To The Strongest Woman I Have Ever Known.
It has been four years since you left. Onward and upward as they say, though I think that saying is meant to have different meaning. I hope you know that I have not gone a single day without thinking about you. I began writing this letter in the first year after you passed, and I have added to it a few times since. I suppose it is a way to process it all.
By Kelly Retz4 years ago in Families
TWO BLUE RIBBONS
The eulogy of Dominique Luzuriaga widow of fallen police officer Jason Rivera was extraordinary told with deep grief and humanness. She confessed her profound love for Jason and the great guy he was. Their story began in elementary school, where they met. The innocence of their affection led to a later romantic relationship, she evokes with an ineradicable memory and preciseness of details that made the attendants of the Mass weep, giving her a standing ovation for her gentle and truthful words of loss, but saying goodbye to Jason was the hardest part as her voice quivered and tears flowed down her cheeks. This was her testimony of faithfulness and love to her beloved sweetheart. Even the attenders outside Saint Patrick's Cathedral could hear the echo of despair and sad news as she rushed to the hospital and saw thousands of people who were gloomy and silent making her think of the worse. Dominique regrets refusing a ride home quoting Jason's words..." It might be your last." She had to repress her tears...this was at the peak of her commotion missing out on the chance of a lifetime. How could she know that those words would come true and make her weep profusely? It's a regret engraved on her heart forever, sometimes we don't pay attention to words and later we realize we should have heeded them without turning down an invitation of someone who cares about us.
By Andrew Crisci4 years ago in Families
A Letter To My Dad
My Dearest Daddy, It has been 1 year, 2 months, 3 days, 5 hours, and 49 minutes since you died. You changed me and my world forever. Nothing is the same anymore. I feel so alone most of the time. No matter what was happening in my life for the last 16 years you were there. You were always there when I needed you most. You were my one true hero for most of my life, even though we were not really around each other for much of my childhood, but that all changed as I became an adult, you were there for me when I screwed up. You helped me any time I asked. That’s not what makes you my hero though. When I had Ryan you were there, you took care of me when I needed it while I was pregnant, and you were there from the moment he was born. You watched him so I could take care of his dad while he was sick. You made sure that our baby was not alone and had everything he needed. I could not have done everything I had to do to take care of Jamie if you hadn’t taken care of Ryan for me. My baby wouldn’t have his dad if you hadn’t helped us. We got through that and then you had a stroke. Thank heaven’s it’s was not worse than what it was. I tried to take care of you as much as you would let me. Then when Jamie and I separated and I was truly a single mother, you watched Ryan so I could work and provide for him. Because of you, we had a roof over our head. You never let me or Ryan down when we truly needed you. You were my best friend. The one I would turn to when I really needed company or someone to talk to or just laugh with. We had our ups and downs as any relationship does but at the end of the day, nobody could ever take your place. My heart hurts so much now that you are gone. My heart shattered into a million pieces when I got the call. My hero was gone and I couldn’t believe it. My life will never be the same without you here. My heart will never be whole. Somehow even in death, you managed to show me what a hero you truly were. I respected your wishes even though in that moment, I was so lost and the grief so unbearable, I honored your choice to donate your organs. Not only are you my hero but you are a hero to every person that received a piece of you through organ donation. You made me change my mind about being an organ donor. You helped many people, and that has inspired me to do the same. You truly are my inspiration and the person I most want to be like when it comes to helping people. You may not have been perfect, but you would have given someone the shirt off your back or your last dollar if they needed it more than you. I will miss you til I draw my last breath, daddy, but I am so proud of you and to be your daughter. I know we will see each other again some day but for now your memory lives on through all the people who’s lives you touched with your generosity and the gift you gave.
By Billi Childress4 years ago in Families
An Old Father
May 19, 2018 This is the last time I'll see him alive. I know that. I won't say it of course. That would be rude, and I want to live in the lie of an immortal today a little longer.
By John Eva4 years ago in Families
Le Plus Grand Amours Si Tout: (The Greatest Love of All) Open Letter to Vera L. Wright & Whitney Houston.
In 1984, the legendary global R&B Icon Whitney Houston recorded a track called ‘The Greatest Love of All” which was released in 1986. It was a major hit and propelled Whitney further upward on her star-studded path, topping the music charts in the U.S.A, Australia & Canada while achieving top 20 status in most countries across the world.
By Andrew Little4 years ago in Families
Thank You, Dad.
Today, on the 9-year anniversary of my fathers death, I was reminded on social media by a post I made when I received the news. I've decided to share it here, in the hope that it may offer some insight to others.
By Dana Crandell4 years ago in Families