My mom died on February 4, 2023. Though she’d been declining over the past three years, when she left us it felt like a devastating earthquake, complete with aftershocks. Six weeks later, my sister organized a gathering Mom would have enjoyed: a garden party and lunch with her inner circle of dear friends. She arranged … Continue reading Sharing Stories Only You Can Tell
Tag: grief
The Hutch
Each time I pass the sliding glass door to our deck, I glance toward the bunny hutch. Dave designed and built it eight years ago, using old redwood boards from a portion of fence he had replaced. One of our son’s friends bought a baby bunny. A month later, her parents demanded that she rehome … Continue reading The Hutch
Easter is Over
Jesus died for love of us.Jesus beat death for love of us. He is risen, He is risen indeed. Easter is over … yet your season of grief may continue.I’m sorry. Life is hard, and there are so many occasions for grief. Jesus longs to turn our wailing into dancing, to swap our mourning clothes … Continue reading Easter is Over
Grief Balms: Snow Globes & Beauty Emergencies
Grief seems to be at every corner this year. Many of us have shared occasions for grief, such as illness and death, the loss of normalcy, shuttered shops and closed schools, dwindling dollars in our bank accounts, isolation and loneliness. Most of us also have personal reasons for grief. For two weeks I haven’t left … Continue reading Grief Balms: Snow Globes & Beauty Emergencies
How are you? No, really…
How are you? she asks, a simple question requiring an easy answer. But do we really have a simple answer? I could tell her I’m tired, weary in my bones and soul. So weary that sleep plays hide and seek through the dark hours, slipping through my grasp each time I think I’ve caught it. … Continue reading How are you? No, really…
Loop-de-Loop
Two weeks ago, I fell while running. Since the only broken skin was on my hand, and the only bruise a purple pin-prick on my chin, I thought I would be fine. I took a day off, mostly because Guy asked me to. That led to three days off, because ouch my body hurt. Since … Continue reading Loop-de-Loop
Hollow-ing
After school drop-off, after a mellow stroll at the park with the dogs, I flopped in my favorite chair, holding the arm rests as if I might slide to the floor. I felt gutted, empty, numb. Somewhere in the wee waking hours, my goal of practicing yoga that morning had withered; the pounding in my … Continue reading Hollow-ing
The Sad Song
I had a rare treat last weekend: a Barnes & Noble sat across the street from the hotel where we stayed. Since most bookstores in our area have closed, I relished the opportunity to spend an hour meandering, collecting a stack of books that attracted my attention for various reasons, and sitting in a corner … Continue reading The Sad Song
Phoenix
It can be hard to find beauty as you walk in the wasteland... And some days, seasons, in our lives feel just like that: devoid of beauty, wasted, bleak. But there is hope, friends, always hope. My friend Kristi reminds us to look to the phoenix. Grieve the losses, yes, but look for the new … Continue reading Phoenix
Practicing Re-Creation
Today's guest post makes me so happy, in part because I recently got to spend an evening with this friend...in person, after WAY too many years (we have spent more years not seeing each other than we were old the last time we saw each other--yikes!). And because, as long as I've known her, this … Continue reading Practicing Re-Creation