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.

Cryptic
Cryptic Humping boxes out of my late father’s flat to a deadline imposed by the condo management, I clumsily knock a large vase with my elbow. It smashes. Damn, that could have been worth a few cents. Glancing down at the shards I spot a palm-sized black Moleskine and a kind of USB stick in the mess. I pick them up and leaf through the notebook. Strings of words written in his recognisably neat, bold hand:
By Susannah Bolt5 years ago in Families
Life After Death
It's crazy to think about it. I hold my breath and I keep it in, pausing my breathing for as long as I can. The pressure builds, my head gets dizzy, and a ringing starts up in my ears. I push harder, my lungs burn. No time... can't... make it. Head pops up and water splashes all around. I'm in a memory. I can hear you laughing, saying I suck. You grab the rails of the ladder and stand on the highest step, leaning forward, hovering over the water. I can see your hair is wet from splashing around and swimming, but the sun has started to slowly dry the strays. You smile wickedly, "Hey, want to do a cannon ball again? Come here, I'll throw you as hard as I can from the top." Your blue eyes eagerly await for my answer.
By Sam Vera5 years ago in Families
When she's gone
When it’s all over and everyone has left, gone to their homes, or the airport, or wherever it is they might go to embrace, accept, tolerate, or ignore their grief, you are left to face your own.
By Wendy Worthington5 years ago in Families
Papa, Grasshopper, Notebook
“Do you have a word for me today, Grasshopper,” he asked. “Indeed,” she said, beaming. “Let’s hear it.” “Perfunctory,” she said triumphantly.
By Samani Donn5 years ago in Families
Finding Home
There’s a small town in Georgia, where the fields are wide and the pine trees grow tall. Everywhere there, is somewhere I’ve been running from. Still, all of my paths lead back.
By Justin Black5 years ago in Families
The Fading
My dad was like a squirrel with his money; he hid stashes of it everywhere. When he died, I found pill bottles filled with change. When I took it home and weighed all of it, there was more than two hundred pounds. It was over $2000 dollars and I used it to pay for his funeral.
By Beth Carlberg5 years ago in Families
My Angell
My Angell Today has been one of the shittiest days of my life! I just feel like the universe is chipping away at my hardened soul with one bad judgment after another. Finding out that my estranged mother passed without the opportunity for any type of closure has been weighing heavily on my mind. As I walk the streets of my town, I hear her voice echoing in my head,” God puts people in our lives as a gift Paula!”
By Paula May5 years ago in Families
My Legacy (Extended Addition)
Driving down the old familiar road, I gripped the steering wheel and tried to keep my mind from wandering. The cold fog from a week ago had seemingly turned into a thick and heavy could that hung over the road as I drove. When I arrived, My sister was already there waiting for me inside. I Silently entered, my eyes unable to meet hers so I started at the steps instead.
By Ashley McFall5 years ago in Families
My Legacy
“Are you sure you're ready?” My sister inquired as we climbed the steps. “Of course.” I said “Besides, it's been over a week since the funeral, and who knows how long this stuff has been sitting up here.”
By Ashley McFall5 years ago in Families
Bunny Ears
Your lips are still ruby colored from the cherry popsicle. But they’re so chapped and cracked that the red pools on the drier parts of your bottom lip. I take out my chapstick (also cherry flavored) and slather it on your mouth.
By Acey Santos5 years ago in Families
A Dusty Basement
He’s gone. That shocking statement has not yet fully registered in the hearts of the few people shuffling around the basement trying to organize boxes full of papers, cluttered tool benches, and an endless supply of knick-knacks.
By Brandon Vermeer5 years ago in Families
The Jewelry Box
THE JEWELRY BOX It was heartbreaking thinking about the death of my favorite aunt, Rosie. She treated me as if I were her only child even though she had several of her own. I tried hard to get through the day when the phone rang. It was my cousin Tammy. Ugh, what does she want? I answered the phone as if I were just waking up. “Hey Julia”, she said, not waiting on a response. “They have called us to mom’s attorney’s office, and for some reason your name was included in the will. So, meet us at noon at the attorney’s office. I will text you the address”. She then hung up without a word from me. I was as puzzled as I am sure she was. They knew of the relationship their mom and I had. I was there with her at the end, only me. But, I had nothing to do with the changing of her will. I hope this is not what this is about. I sat there contemplating whether or not to attend. I then called my mom. “Hey mom, this is Julia. “I know Julia”, she said. “So, mom, Tammy called me to tell me I was invited to the reading of the will. Do you know anything about that?” “Yeah”, mom said. “She called me upset that your name was on the will along with mine. I told her I understood why because you guys were remarkably close, and you were there with her when no one else was. She got upset and hung up the phone.” “Well, you know I didn’t do that to be paid. I just loved her so much and didn’t want her to be alone.” “I know”, mom said. “Just go. Even if it’s her jewelry box, I know she would love for you to have it”. “Okay, thanks mom. I will, just because you told me to. I will call you later with the details.” We hung up.
By Seletha Head Tucker5 years ago in Families