Rosie walked into the house carrying her famous apple pie. Everyone was happy to see her — and the pie — but also cautious. Rosie’s husband, Simon, died two years ago, and holiday family gatherings have never been the same. No one is sure what to say. They do not want to make Rosie cry by mentioning Simon. Rosie does… Read More
In Closure: The Rush to End Grief and What It Costs Us, I encourage people not to push others (or themselves) through grief. Knowing what this means in practical ways is good to consider. People often struggle with not knowing what to say to someone who is grieving. In facing this struggle, there are those who simply do not talk… Read More
We sit at the kitchen table, brushing off the chill of a winter evening. Gloria puts down her coffee mug and reaches for a picture of her children. Through tears, she tells me about her oldest son’s life, and quietly laughs when describing his antics. He died three years ago, and she obviously misses him. After reflecting on her grief… Read More
Today is the fifth anniversary of when my father-in-law, Don Schweingruber, died. I think of him often and know he’d have a lot of wisdom to share with us all during these chaotic times. We shared many conversations about life and death. I treasure those moments. As I reflect on his life, I wanted to share an earlier podcast I… Read More
Do you tell others to find closure? Or do you think something is wrong with you because there seems to be no closure after a loss? Stop worrying about closure. We don’t need closure to heal. Closure continues to be a popular concept in our culture. However, it is just a word we’ve made up to talk about loss. Sadly,… Read More
I passed by the chips aisle twice already trying to avoid the temptation. But I knew I was seeking that crunchy sound and salty taste. Today found me vulnerable to my “comfort foods.” I wanted to choose NOT to eat them, but some days it is harder. Diet coke is another big trigger food with a psychological hold on… Read More
Jerry Sandusky, former assistant football coach at Penn State University has been handed a sentence of 30 to 60 years in prison for multiple sexual assault charges. He molested many young boys and now has received his official state punishment. Some journalists, bloggers and others are declaring “closure” along with “justice” for the victims, families, and others who have been… Read More
All too frequently I am shoving something in a cupboard only to have trouble closing the door. I buy groceries and not everything fits on the shelves. I try to put shampoo bottles in the bathroom cabinet and other things fall over. “This is ridiculous,” I say to myself. It is ridiculous because I know there should be plenty of… Read More
