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by Anthony Martin, Founder & CEO, Choice Mutual When people watch news reports about death, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or school shootings, they may feel confused and scared. Maybe they worry about themselves and the safety of their family and friends. These events disrupt our way of life and peace of mind. They can make […]
Continue ReadingEditor’s Note: Five years ago Peggy Amler began a series of posts and poems about the loss of her husband, David. She recently sent me this one that benchmarks her five year journey. I’ve followed it with her first post, “Wasn’t It Just Yesterday?” This is a link to all her publications in AfterTalk: https://blog.aftertalk.com/page/3/?s=amler […]
Continue ReadingA week or so ago, we were visiting with friends who I had not seen since my mother’s death in July. I had forgotten that I had not seen them, and so was not prepared for their very kind words when they first saw me and hugged me. So, I thanked them for their words […]
Continue ReadingAfterTalk’s posts on grieving have been mostly based on Western traditions and Judeo-Christian values. This week and last we posted articles offering Hindu and Buddhist discussions of the grieving process. Confronting Life and Death by Wolf Soujon, Germany “The life of a human being is fleeting,” writes Nichiren, “The exhaled breath never waits for the inhaled […]
Continue ReadingEditor’s Note: AfterTalk’s posts on grieving have been mostly based on Western traditions and Judeo-Christian values. This week and next we are posting articles offering Hindu and Buddhist discussions of the grieving process. How to make room for other people’s grief: A pandemic-era guide from the… At the workplace, the grocery store or in conversation, […]
Continue ReadingEditor’s Note: I came upon this extraordinary documentary from PBS, and felt that it was appropriate just as we as a nation hit the 600,000 mark in COVID-19 deaths. I encourage you to visit the Speaking Grief website for its many resources beyond this documentary. https://speakinggrief.org/ Speaking Grief explores the transformative experience of losing a […]
Continue ReadingFor Father’s day, I couldn’t think of a more eloquent statement of love and respect for a father than Meghan’s eulogy of her father–LL Meghan McCain at the National Cathedral, Washington, DC For video, click HERE “The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for, and I hate very much to leave […]
Continue ReadingWhen Grief and Coronavirus Collide BY MARY JANE HURLEY BRANT When Grief and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) collide, we feel like we’ll collapse. The Coronavirus is not only serious, it’s a pandemic. Like grief, COVID-19 is powerful, persistent and painful; it makes us fearful. Grief has already made us more vulnerable so this is a rough combination. […]
Continue ReadingHow To Write a Bereavement Leave Letter by Jessica Fender In times of global pandemic, it became challenging to pay a last in-person tribute to the ones you’ve lost. However, the current state of affairs with COVID-19 is getting better. Lifting of travel and gathering restrictions gives people a chance to be present at funerals […]
Continue ReadingSummer’s End STORY BY TATUM SCHROEDER In my youth, summer swept in She planted a flower for me over yonder On the hill where I watch for the dawn— Where bleached bliss and sanitized memories will one day ponder. In those days the sun was bright No fear of famine or drought No […]
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