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 End of a Family
I wrote this in an old diary on 11th March 2003 at 6:35am, some seven months after my mum died. It was the first time I could put pen to paper and recount what happened.
By Richard Douglas8 years ago in Families
Pal Joey. Top Story - August 2017.
Looking at the screen of the CAT scan I think, ‘Now this in authentic Reality TV.’ I am blinking fast and furious faucets of tears as if I think I can lift off and out of this cramped, over-heated office fueled solely by eyelash power. The young oncologist is calm. The scene, like his job, is a re-run, scripted with words like “cancer,” “Stage 4,” “8 months to a year,” “so sorry,” “do what we can.”
By Dr. Ronda8 years ago in Families
This Is Not the End
The room is dark, save for one fluorescent light turned on in the corner. My heart races, my palms are sweaty, and I feel the familiar sting of tears for probably the thousandth time that morning. Something isn't right, and I know it. There's no way the doctor is going to have good news. You don't bleed that much, have that much pain, and not have it end in the worst way possible.
By Emilie Dowty8 years ago in Families
Distractions
I didn't look for them. God knew what I needed so he sent me distractions. And yes they helped me deal. I had so much to deal with, parents dying, nowhere to live, sad all the time, empty inside. I was depressed, sad and lonely. I felt like an orphan. My life as I had known it was gone, replaced by this weird existence. I wasn't living life, I was merely going through the motions. You know, wake up, get dressed (maybe), eat (maybe), brush teeth, cry, go on computer look for something, anything to distract me from the pain, the anguish I was feeling. Strangely enough, social media did help. I spent a lot of time looking at my computer screen trying to lose myself in other people's dull and boring lives.
By Edwina A. Lewis8 years ago in Families
Grief: Not Something You Just Get Over
Our friends, family, colleagues, and perhaps even random strangers tell us that time heals all wounds, and that you need to suck it up and get over it. But grief, as I have come to know for a fact, is a process. You don't just get over it.
By Jessie B8 years ago in Families
Losing My Stepdad at Christmas
Losing someone you are close to is never easy. Boxing Day will always be a sad memory for me, as that was the day my Stepdad sadly past away. My Mother told me on the phone she was heartbroken and I couldn't take it in. That night I cried, in fact I spent many days after crying too, as not long before that I also lost my son to adoption.
By Carol Ann Townend8 years ago in Families
Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can be a bad thing for an older person, just the same for a young person as well. I know this can happen in nursing homes as well as their own homes where their own children can abuse them when they can't seem to take care of themselves on their own,or bathe themselves or cook either one, and they have to take any punishment that they can. It can be a traumatic thing to go through and see when you are only a teenager of 17. This is a true story of my grandmother when I spent the weekend over at her house in October 1987. This was the time of year when you can just look outside and see the orange and brown leaves all over the ground from the trees outside.
By Peggy Rice8 years ago in Families
What I Finally Told My Father
I was 12 when his anger flared again. Despite the consistent paid-for piano lessons, I was not as consistent practicing. Amanda, my very plump piano teacher, outed me as any good teacher should. I simply was not doing my homework. I sat on the piano bench when Dad started. He told me that I was disappointing him because I was not trying hard enough. I was not living up to my potential. He did not want to waste his money. I then did what I never wanted to do: I cried. As hard as I tried not to, the tears simply poured down my face as an unspoken anger filled my heart, ashamed of the tears. It showed weakness. I promised myself never ever to cry again. I held true to my self-induced vow for 8 years. Whenever I was teased or hurt in any way, however much I wanted, I simply would not cry. That stubborn desire was my stronghold and my answer for survival. To myself, I dared anyone to make me cry, feel remorseful, or feel anything. I simply rose above it.
By Tomas Alejandro8 years ago in Families
My Daughter No More
My Daughter No More You were born my daughter but my daughter you are no more You were born so beautiful, your dad and I instantly knew that we would forever love you
By Jackie Sagastume9 years ago in Families
Act of Forgiveness
We celebrate our birthdays every year and usually there is that one person that celebrates it even more than we do, our mother. They reminisce about the day we were born or tell some silly story about us when we were just infants. They take pride that they brought such a unique and smart individual into the world. That is the case for most mothers. Some mothers forget to even call you or wish you a happy birthday in any way. Maybe it’s not even some mothers, maybe it is just mine.
By Tiffany Thompson9 years ago in Families
Don't Be Like Me
The day I found out about you was one of the most emotional days of my life. I was so young. And you were so unexpected. I was caught up in the wrong world with the wrong boy. My head was in the clouds and there was no bringing me down.. or so I thought.
By Felicia Morrow9 years ago in Families
Life in a Box
Today is one of those beautiful sunny days, you know... clear blue sky, a light dusting of snow on the ground with the distant scent of woodsmoke in the air.
By Anita M.9 years ago in Families