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.

Aunt Silva's Diary
"Services for Silva B. Hilton, 91, a lifelong resident of Anderson County, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mound Perry Baptist Church with the Rev. Lonnie Joe Doyle officiating. Burial will be at The Barrett Family Cemetery under the direction of Bushy Creek Funeral Home.
By Ricky Brown5 years ago in Families
Little Black Book
Before he died, he kept telling me to find it. “Don’t let your grandmother find it,” he whispered “What is it? What’s in it? Tell me why it’s so important.”
By Stephanie Denis5 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book
“If you are reading this, it means I AM DEAD.” Words you did not expect to see. Shocked. Devastated. Sadness filled inside you. You look at your sister’s gloomy, pale face with tears in your eyes while slowly lifting your hand to her coffin. In your other hand is a small black book left to you by your sister, which the lawyer insisted that you do not open until the wake. Shuddering, the next few words mystifies you. “Please DO NOT read ahead. I need you to TRUST me. YOU are my everything and I LOVE you.”
By Rebekah Obst5 years ago in Families
The Book According to Dennis
The weather was beautiful, the day we buried my dad. The sun shone over the rolling hills of eastern KY; I had seen it many times before, yet that day was unlike anything I had ever witnessed. My dad was in the air, I could feel his energy. The quick wit and authority made everything go just right.
By Windy Wonder5 years ago in Families
The Mighty Dead
When her grandmother passed, Casandra Kelly wasn't the only one surprised to learn she'd been included in the will. She had not spent much time with her grandmother since entering adulthood. Holidays, of course, and if other family was visiting. She hated to call anyone on the phone, and her grandmother did not text. She meant to write letters, bought a calligraphy pen and stationery, and was very proud of the idea, a way to reach out to her grandmother in a way the old woman likely felt most comfortable, but there never seemed to be time.
By L. Rose5 years ago in Families
One Down, Three To Go
The light inside the penthouse suite provided a clear view of the living room for someone on the roof across the street. At 11:53 pm, the night air was a nice 50 degrees with no wind and slight humidity. The distance between the two buildings was maybe 80 feet.
By Angel5 years ago in Families
Coffee Rings on Cardboard Boxes
The cardboard box sitting atop her coffee table table was now stained with coffee rings. Mira had tried using a coaster once. But that had disrupted the careful balance of the mug, almost upturning the coffee and having it soak through the contents of the box.
By Malvika Nair5 years ago in Families
The Illiterate Cat
The Illiterate Cat “The boy can’t read” tch’d my aunt Polly, watching me throw a ping pong ball at Pickles, my grandfather’s ginger tom. “Probably because he spends all his time playing with that cat.” I had been asked me to read out sympathy cards from faraway well-wishers. I know that people just wanted me to feel included in my grandfather’s funeral. But I stumbled over most of the words and the whole process took too long. Aunt Polly had looked cross the whole time.
By Vyl Toh5 years ago in Families
Love/Hate
I remember wondering, “How is it--even in death--she can be this way?” She snapped at the orderly because the lights were too bright. She made me readjust her pillow a hundred times and then rolled her eyes whenever I inevitably got it wrong. When they finally turned off her oxygen, she complained that she couldn’t breathe, and she looked at all the nurses as if it was their fault her lungs were full of fluid and unusable. I hate myself for thinking it--especially now, but when she lost consciousness, I laughed and thought, “She’s finally quiet.” I heard it in her voice, like it was her joke.
By Bryan Crystal-Thurston5 years ago in Families
What We Bury
Jan 28, 2002 Mother died today, finally. I had to fight her everyday just to get her to eat, and, still, she hardly ate anything. All she consumed was my life. For a long time, I prayed she’d hurry up and die. Horrible, I know, but I swear I’m not a bad person. If God ever gave an answer to my prayer it was “let her starve.” But I couldn’t. I kept fighting her — fighting for her — until the end.
By jason akinaka5 years ago in Families
Au Revoir
It had been the worst summer of the worst year of her life. Ten months earlier, Maddy's dad had been diagnosed with leukemia. She hated watching him lose weight from the chemo, his body wearing down after continual trips to the doctor. The pain and nausea could be overwhelming, but Leif made a valiant attempt to hide it from his daughter. Whenever he caught her looking at him in worry, he’d force a smile and tell her, “It’ll be alright, darling. I promise. This isn’t the end.”
By Josh Burnett5 years ago in Families
Gone is Goodwill
Paulie was trying on clothes at Goodwill, her one escape from her life as a struggling college graduate. She dawned large floppy hats and ethereal white dresses, savoring every outdated piece of high fashion she got her hands on. She liked to imagine what they would have once looked like hanging on the rack in their high end stores. Immersed in character she asked an imaginary fitting room attendant for a smaller size, and if the wrinkles would steam out. She chuckled, not expecting any answer when there came a pounding that rattled the door and every joint connecting the walls of her four by four dressing room.
By Kaylynn Rodriguez5 years ago in Families