Father’s Day
For me, Father’s Day was much more horrendous than Mother’s Day. My family and friends tried to do things to make me feel special on Mother’s Day, but on Father’s Day, there was nothing that could be done. Keith had died, and Father’s Day would never again be what I thought it should be. Father’s […]
A parent’s greatest revenge…
I love the quote: “a parent’s greatest revenge is when your kids have kids”. I twist this quote a bit to say that once my kids have children of their own, then maybe they will understand just a wee bit the struggle I went through as a grieving solo parent after Keith died. The other […]
Mother’s Day
Becoming a mother was one of the most profound events in my life. When each of my children was born, my life changed forever. I’ll never forget the experience with my firstborn – one moment I was pregnant, and the next, I was holding my newborn son in my arms and rejoicing with my husband. […]
The Power of Shared Experiences
This week, nine of us came together to talk about our children, solo parenting, and widowhood. We laughed, we cried, we supported each other, and we ate chocolate! Our children ranged in age from 3 months to 16 years old. Our widowhood ranged from 5 months to 12 years. The two hours sped by as […]
Beauty can be found in simple moments
Wow – it is such a busy time of year. My days are filled with trying to get the shopping done, coordinating the family get-togethers, wrapping the presents combined with doing all the regular daily stuff that needs to be done – no wonder I am exhausted at the end of the day. Personally, I […]
I have a Dad
I have thought a lot lately about just how lucky I am to have my Dad in my life. I found myself very reflective on his birthday. It occurred to me, as it has before, the vastness of what my own kids have learned to carry. While I cannot even let myself consider the day […]
Just for Today
Just for today, I will be free from anger. Just for today, I will be free from worry. I will be filled with gratitude. I will dedicate myself to my work. And I will be kind to others. -adaptation of the Reiki principles, originally written by Dr. Mikao Usui Blogger: Su I was […]
A Bill of Rights for Grieving Kids
A Bill of Rights for Grieving Kids 1. I have the right to have my own unique feelings about the death 2. I have the right to talk about my grief whenever I feel like talking. 3. I have the right to show my feelings of grief in my own way. 4. I have the […]
The Irony of Reality
The Irony of Reality It has been said that, as a parent, you are only as happy as your unhappiest child. I would say, as an only parent, that oftentimes it is not their happiness but their grief by which we measure. One of the things I learned early on in this journey is […]
My Children
My reason for being, my stressors, my light, my tears, my joy, my sorrows, my future, my gift, my everything, my “what would I do without them”! Why did they have to become part of the “kids with a parent who died” club? Why did I become part of the “parent with grieving kids and […]