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.
Death and the Afterlife
What is death? How much of the process do we truly know and comprehend? It’s easy to say that your body expires, organs shut down, and you cease to be. You can read information on the process of dying and how to reassure the person to make their transition to death easier, and what you can expect from the death if you are present when it occurs. I’ve just always felt there was more to it than that.
By James Howell8 years ago in Families
My Most Important Life Lesson
In life, people are constantly learning, whether it's from school or mistakes we have made or others around them and they mistakes they have made. Despite the life lessons you may learn in high school or from your elders, some of the most important ones can sometimes come in the moments you least expect it. How do I know this? Well, I've experienced it.
By Angelique Roberson8 years ago in Families
The Day I Lost You
I'll never forget the day I found out I was going to be a mom. It was the most exciting thing ever. I was only fifteen years old and I had been with my boyfriend for about a year. We were so young and didn't care what anyone thought or said because we knew that we were going to be together forever and we knew that we wanted to start a family. We had been trying for maybe three months. We had went to Los Angeles to go visit my boyfriend's family and I started feeling a little weird, getting the usual symptoms that you get in early pregnancies. We stopped by CVS and bought a pregnancy test. I've taken a lot before, but there's something about this one that I was just so sure about.
By Michelle Avila8 years ago in Families
An Open Letter to my Grandfather
Well I never called you grandpa, I called you Ed, we all called you Ed and when I was little I always felt like the most special girl in the world because I had something no one else did, I had my very own Ed. I had someone who was like a grandfather to me, but I was allowed to call you Ed and that just added to your charm. It's taken me a little while since you've died to be able to even think about you without crying, but I'm giving myself some credit on that since it's still only been a few months. So now I'm here writing this letter because I think it's something you'd encourage me to do, to write through my grief because you always encouraged me to write and to do anything even mildly educational, so here it goes.
By Savannah Aichem8 years ago in Families
My Mother
My mother Cleo passed away on January 5th, 2014. When my mom left this world, my heart was literally broken into pieces. Her pain and sudden illness started in November, around Thanksgiving. I was over her house waiting for the food to be done and she started having pain in her leg because her doctor had said that she had sciatica. The pain was so unbearable for her that she was down the whole time, so it was up to me to try and cook the food. At least you can say the food didn’t go so well. My sister came to the rescue with her food. After Thanksgiving was over, everything appeared to be back to normal with my mom.
By Jeanette Williams8 years ago in Families
To My Mother Who Left Too Soon
Hello Mom, It's been too long since I last spoke to you, in person that is. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I could call you or visit you just to see how you're doing, to hear your voice, to know you're there. You left too soon, too soon for me to tell you all the things I wish I could so I'll say them now if only for the hope that somehow you can hear them.
By Kasey Gilbert8 years ago in Families
My Mother
My mother was a beautiful woman. She was full of life and full of love. Her laughter was contagious. There was no one she couldn't start a conversation with. It didn't matter who you were, she would talk to you. My mother was one of the greatest women I know.
By Jami Stephenson8 years ago in Families
Forever My Little Man
My oldest brother Esteban, "Little Man," isn't just my brother, he is my friend and I will do anything for him. Since the day I was born he has been looking out for my older brother Bernard "Busy Bee" and me. He was always there for us when my parents were at work or busy. We didn't always get along with each other, but when we fought and argued with each other we would apologize and forgive each other because at the end of the day all we had was each other and nothing can or will ever change that.
By Crystal Garcia8 years ago in Families
You Never Forget Your First Time
My Grandpa died last month, just like the typical way all grandparents do eventually, taking secrets and stories along with them. It never actually hit me I don’t think. Not the way it did everyone else. Or maybe it did and I just didn’t want to show it whilst everyone else was sobbing. In a way—that I wouldn’t admit to anyone—it was terrifying. I try to act like I’ve seen it all before and that I’m more grown up than I am. I’m totally adamant to other people that I’m okay, I’m fine, it doesn’t bother me. I’m not really sure why but honestly I never saw it as a bad thing anyways. Not until every time I was about to cry I had to force it back down my throat with a reminder that I had to be strong because my family needed me. I started to realise that it didn’t feel okay and it actually hurt to make myself “un-sad.”
By Sophie Young8 years ago in Families
Suicide
Death is painful, period. But suicide, it's different. Suicide leaves individuals with this void, this emptiness. With death, whatever the cause, it hurts; but for many, they have answers, maybe even a little more time with that certain someone. With suicide you literally wake up one day, everything's good, then the next your world was ripped out from under you. You don't know which way is up, down, left, or right. The amount of questions running through your head is enough to make a person snap. Why? How? Was there a note? When? Were they alone? Did they suffer? How is so and so? Could I have done more? Did I do enough? Why didn't they reach out? Did I miss something? A sign? The list is endless. To continue to function, you rely on medications: one, two, maybe even three different kinds including sleeping meds. Months/years later, you'll find yourself still asking questions, some the same some new. Suicide in my personal opinion and personal experience is a very different kind of death. It doesn't take that person's pain away, it's takes that person away and gives their pain to many others. August 25 used to be just another ordinary day, that is until four years ago. Four years ago my life changed. Four years ago my then 17-year-old niece committed suicide. August 25, 2013 is just as vivid in my mind as if it were yesterday. Still to this day I can hear my scream when my sister phoned us with the news. My fiancé grabbed me and my phone before we both hit the floor. You learn to mask the pain, hide it, function because you knew you had to. The anger, that's what had me; still to this day I'm pissed. I was only depressed oddly for a short period; thus I swore was because I was at peace with her passing. I carried no guilt, no regrets. She and I were close. Sisterly close. She confided in me, trusted me as I did her. When she died, I knew she was finally at peace. She wasn't hurt, angry, disappointed, bullied, pressured, hated, mislead, forced, these are a few of her feelings before she died. My anger towards her is still to this day my biggest battle. Because we had such a special bond. Because we told each other everything good or bad. Because we never judged and always loved. Because she knew I would have done any and everything to stop her and that's why she never reached out to me; she didn't want me to stop her. Because facing these harsh realities has nearly killed me. Because I'm pissed she felt taking her life was a better option than asking for help. Because on August 25, 2013 she died. A piece of myself died, as did piece of every single person in our family. Our family is not, nor will ever be, the same. I'm sure they'd all agree. Suicide IS NOT THE ANSWER. This is for anyone who thinks taking their life is the only option. Or taking their life will make everyone "happier." This is the side suicide doesn't see. This is the aftermath of suicide, the effect it has on its victims family and friends. Suicide is 100% preventable. Speak out, ask for help. Educate your minds, know the signs, know what to look for. Speak to your loved ones, ask questions, and never assume; looks are very deceiving. #suicideispreventable
By Sasha Shell8 years ago in Families
