Your birthday was 3 days ago. You’d be 42 years old now. Instead, you’re forever 40. September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. I know I talked about it last year. But I am reiterating my point because I ...
Riley, Lizzy, Ashley, Sonney, and JD on a camping trip at Sue-meg State Park. Photo Credit: Penelope Ray, 2008 It was 2008 when we found them. JD and I were particularly broke that year after losing our home in the ...
It's not that I enjoy making people uncomfortable but I can't stop saying your name. To people around me, outside of the bubble, you were a nothing that became a something and are now a nothing again. To ...
No one asks to be part of the reason that there is a day dedicated to grief awareness, especially widowhood. You won’t see “Black Friday”-like lines ensuing chaos to be the first ones to claim the deal of “widow riddled ...
TW: Suicide method Very early on, after Bret died, I couldn't dream about him. I couldn't feel his presence at all. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to dream about him--I knew that when I'd wake up the next ...
Five years ago, my daughter was still in diapers when her dad died.Today, she put on her backpack, kissed me goodbye, and walked into kindergarten. Five years ago, my son was ten and barely tall enough to ride the big ...
Honoring the journey of a widow as she navigates her grief and its persistent presence is one of the most precious gifts you can give. Saturday, August 30, 2025 is National Grief Awareness Day. It is a special day set ...
Cause and effect. A concept that can have deep philosophical roots or a surface level fundamental basis. When something as tremendous as a spouse passing away happens, we often want to point fingers. Why did this happen? Who made this ...
Yesterday I woke up prepared for the worst. It was the eighth anniversary of losing Rick to lung cancer. But I realized that, as the years go by, the major events aren’t as painful as the loss of the little ...
When we get anxious or panicked, how many times have we been told…”Just breathe”… or “Take a deep breath.” Breathing is one of those things our body does automatically. God created us with so many parts that work tirelessly and ...