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.

How My Family Broke Me, a Story About Surviving a Narcissistic Family
I’m angry. Bottled up frustration and anger is not healthy for anyone, even those involved. One person can only be pushed so far before they crack and the flood gates open.
By Christina Scanlon7 years ago in Families
My Journey Through My Dad’s Cancer
In February of 2018, I left work early. I work at a factory and just wasn’t feeling it that day. My mom and I came through the door and my dad was home. He was disabled, so he didn’t work. My mom worked with me. He was excited to see that my mom and I were home. He asked if everything was okay. We both told him yes. He sat my mom down and told her he had stage four esophageal cancer, which was caused by acid reflux.
By Amber Hartley7 years ago in Families
Eight and Not Even 24 Hours
The way the world rotates is a peculiar thing. Rotation isn’t even perfect, no. In fact, it lays tilted on its side like a sad blanket sealed over the arm of a chair that once belonged to your late loved one. This is factual, yet we question why. Why does it take the world 24 hours to complete a spin? Why are apartments called that when they are so clearly built together, and why… why do good people die?
By McKy Sillitoe7 years ago in Families
The Butler
July The windows are down, but there’s no wind blowing through my hair right now and I can smell the pungent odor of the bay. Mimi would actually have to be doing the speed limit for me to even get a small gust, but I am okay with that because it would probably amplify the smell coming in. Most people would be disgusted with the scent, but for me it means we’ve almost reached Wildwood. I’m used to the extended drive down the beach, but Mim hates taking highways or main roads so it takes longer than usual. That means for the past two hours I’ve been staring at farmland. It sounds worse than it is. I love the view of the beautiful orchards splattered with color from all the fruits and vegetables growing out in the fields. While we drive Mimi tells me stories of when she was younger and talks about how much everything has changed. Like how the road me and my mom would normally take to drive down, Rt. 347, didn’t even exist when my family first bought the house down Wildwood. She reminisces about when the house was still new, a one story house with red shingle siding and a white roof. The porch has a little gate at the top of the steps to keep all the children inside and away from the street. We’re one of the lucky houses with our own driveway and it leads right to the backyard. When we finally pull the car in, the first thing I notice is our shed that stores all of our beach supplies. Growing up, Mimi and my Aunt Anne always called it a "hoodle" and to this day I’m still not sure it’s a real word. I try to imagine what it would have been like to grow up in the same time period as Mim. It’s hard to imagine, but these car rides together make it seem more real and it’s some of the best times we have together.
By Katelyn D7 years ago in Families
My Experience Losing Someone Close
My life is a roller coaster of crazy events, I have probably experienced more than the average person has, and I am not even 30 yet. I think I have gone through enough tragedy now to last a lifetime, but I am sure I will experience more. I also spend a lot of time alone, now and when I was younger, so I self-reflect a lot... Doing so has taught me a lot about myself, who I am and where I am going. I also think a lot about the past, and what I have learned from my experiences, why they happened, and who I became because of it. I know now that with every up, and every down I experienced, I learned a lot of valuable lessons.
By Osana Lindsay7 years ago in Families
Becoming a Woman Without a Mother
As kids, we believe our parents are superheroes; you know, always there to pick us up, knowing exactly how to make us feel better, and, if you're lucky, understanding you. I was a lucky one. I grew up in a two parent household where my mom was a childcare provider and my dad worked security. Life was good, and as I got older, I had a bond with my mom that I knew was closer than other girls had with their moms at that age. She understood me, encouraged me and made sure I was heard. The funny thing is, I didn't realize all of this till it stopped being that way.
By Alex Fuller7 years ago in Families
Three Months
I pass your old house all the time, and like I did when you were alive, I look to see if you car is in the driveway. It isn't, and hasn't been for months.
By Jordanna Romano7 years ago in Families
Stuck in Time
I am not a time traveler. I am not a science-fiction buff. I am a normal (?) human being and I noticed something odd about myself. I am stuck in time!
By Maurice Bernier7 years ago in Families
A Day
It’s 5:00 AM. “Crap, I didn’t hear my alarm go off at 3:30! Wait did it even go off?” Anyway, it’s time for me to get up and get moving. I do a pep talk to myself early in the morning to motivate me to drag myself out of bed. I know before I even look in the mirror that my eyes will tell the story of my restless night. No matter what I try, the story always seems to end up with the same unhappy ending. Me tossing and turning throughout the night; desiring sleep—taking melatonin and prescription sleeping pills, but still no consistent sleep. I fall asleep without a problem, only to awaken at midnight or 1:00 AM and then I’m trying to fall back asleep. My eyes laden with dark circles and puffiness tell this story all too well. Anti-puffiness serums, coffee, under the eye cold packs and make up have all lied, as they don’t help to conceal my secret. Knowing this story is the same as any other day, I get out of bed and start the day off as usual; convincing myself that I am going to get through the day and it is going to be a great day. So into the journey of my day, as a teacher, I progress. I can pretty much picture how it is going to go before actually even stepping foot into its existence. I feel pretty good today, I must say. I am prepared. I am ready to take on my day! My healthy lunch is ready and I am well on my way to a productive day. I also get to see my son early this morning, so that makes my day a lot brighter.
By Altavise Walker7 years ago in Families
Blood Is Thicker Than Water
The blood on his hands dripped into the water. The sound of the first drop falling had startled him, as the surrounding forest was dead silent. But now, as he stared dazedly at his bloody hands, he found tranquility in the steady drip, drip, drip. He crouched down and fully submerged his hands in the ice-cold lake, watching the hot blood swirl off and stain the clear water. The blood on his hands wasn’t his.
By Anne P.7 years ago in Families
It's Cancer But...
There's something that changes in you when you lose a parent. It doesn't matter if you're 13, 36 or 65. That person who cared and loved you unconditionally is gone. It leaves behind a huge hole.
By Sian Rodgers7 years ago in Families
Grieving as an Adult
I've wanted to write this post for while but haven't really been sure of how to write it. But I've decided to just go ahead and do it, especially as I've been feeling a bit low the last couple of weeks so it feels like the right time to get it out.
By Emily Jones7 years ago in Families