original author unknown “It Was God’s Will” Human beings do not have the omniscience to determine the will of God, and most bereaved will not care anyway. Such statements paint God as a cruel and vicious force that would tear a person away from those who loved him/her without any consideration for the survivor. “I […]
Author Archives: Peggy Sweeney
April
11
There is No Time Limit on Grief
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Brooke Ninni Matthews My name is Brooke Ninni Matthews, a 40-year-old housewife with two children. I live in Reading, Pennsylvania. My family and I have had three losses within six months: my mother (JoAnne Ninni) on August 10, 2011; four weeks later, my husband’s mother on September 8, 2011; and exactly six months to […]
April
11
Underage Driver
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Barbara McFadden, M.Ed., LPC Waiting, impatiently, for the day when she can get her driver’s license is positively unbearable for the high school sophomore. She seizes the moment, when her parents are out-of-town, to take a little test drive. She will be careful, very careful. She follows all her parents’ rules: seat belt buckled, […]
April
11
The Ultimate Choice: Donate
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Debbie Henry None of us want to think about the issue of organ donation, the subject brings fear to our hearts. We just do not want to address the issue, procrastination is normal, but the truth is it needs to be discussed. I wanted to share our son’s story. Deciding to give life to […]
April
11
Healing Through Writing
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Barbara Force My name is Barbara Force. I’m 70, retired and worked for Trans World Airlines for 35 years. I met my husband, Dan, at TWA and we were married for 34 years when he died at 64 from cancer. After he was diagnosed, we both attended Writing for Wellness, a class offered by […]
April
11
Grief Without Belief
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Deidre Felton Whether or not we share a specific belief system there is a sense of solidarity when it comes to dying. Dr. Albert Schweitzer said that he found there was “a fellowship of those who bear the mark of pain,” and that “sensitivity to human suffering does not stand alone and rootless.” We […]
March
12
Keeping Memories Alive After Losing a Child
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Sandy Fox What should bereaved parents do if their only child dies and the decision is to have another child?Is your family now three (with the new child) or four (including the one who died)? How do you answer someone you meet who asks in conversation, “How many children do you have?” The following […]
March
12
Starting All Over Again (part 1 of 2)
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Mitch Carmody a chronological view of the bereavement process from the perspective of a bereaved parent If you want to go the extremes of grief to try and understand the complexities of the bereavement process one should study the bereaved parent. No other loss is more devastating than the death and physical loss of a […]
March
12
Starting All Over Again (Part 2 of 2)
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Mitch Carmody Read part one of Mitch’s message HERE A chronological view of the bereavement process from the perspective of a bereaved parent based on the Erik Erikson’s Developmental Stages. Stage One: Learning Basic Trust Versus Basic Mistrust (hope). The first year The world, God, Kismet or the fates of life, have stolen our […]
March
12
Almost Eighteen: A Mother’s Journey Through Grief
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Paula Osipovitch My name is Paula Osipovitch and I live in Toms River, New Jersey with my husband, George, of 39 years. I have 2 children: George III and my beloved, Trisha, who is now in heaven. I have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Joann, and 3 handsome grandsons, Christopher, Brian and Joseph, who are my […]
March
12
*POOF*
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by Tom Wyatt He was just right here and then *poof* he was gone, It seems like it was only yesterday but in truth it’s been so long. I used to be afraid that I’d forget his funny little laugh or his sweet crooked smile. He was just right here but it’s been such long. […]
March
12
And the Band Played On…. (death of an only child)
posted by Peggy Sweeney
by LaFreda Kilburn The story of Scotty Brian Purcell 5/4/77 – 10/13/93 His Life was like a song he wrote in his own note and key. Each life he touched reflects a note that forms the Melody. He chose the theme and chorus of the song to bear his name, And each one has a […]
